Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons. Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Micah Parsons should be salivating after latest NFL rule adjustment unlocks major advantages for the Packers

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Wendell Ferreira | Last updated Apr 1, 2026 8:56 AM ET

The Green Bay Packers have some major lingering injuries from 2025. Edge defender Micah Parsons and Tucker Kraft are the biggest of them, as both star players are recovering from ACL injuries. It’s not impossible that Parsons, in particular, starts the season on the physically unable to perform list, which would force him to miss at least four games to kick off the regular season.

PUP rule adjustment is great news for the Packers

At the Annual League Meeting in Phoenix this week, NFL owners approved some rule and bylaw adjustments, and one of them could truly help the Packers. Now, players placed on the inactive/PUP list to start the season can begin practicing after just two regular-season games, even though they can only return to games starting after four games. Up to this point, players couldn’t practice before these four weeks.

This is what the official adjustment says:

“By Competition Committee; to permit players on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform to begin a 21-day practice period after the club’s second game of the regular season.”

From the league's approved bylaws released today, this is a big one for Micah Parsons. Assuming he starts on PUP, before he would have had to wait to practice until after the Packers 4th game. Can now start his ramp up after the 2nd game of the season. pic.twitter.com/MfKjiCvAZy
— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) March 31, 2026

Micah Parsons suffered his ACL injury back in December. Usually, these types of injuries demand 10 months of recovery, which would put Parsons in line to play again in October. The All-Pro stated that he wants to play in September, but the Packers don’t want to speed up his recovery.

Most likely, Parsons will be placed on the active/PUP during training camp. By the end of preseason, the Packers will have a clearer picture of when Parsons will return, and if he won’t be able to play the first month of the season, he starts it on the inactive/PUP, opening up a 53-man roster spot. But now, at least he will have a ramp up period and still be able to practice for up to three weeks before getting fully back.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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