Packers' Micah Parsons reveals unsurprising target return date

Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Packers' Micah Parsons reveals unsurprising target return date

By Ernesto Cova | Last updated Aug 10, 2026 5:53 PM ET

Micah Parsons' first season with the Green Bay Packers was cut short with a major injury.

The former first-round pick tore his ACL late in the season, and while there was still hope that he would be activated at some point in training camp, that doesn't sound realistic at this point.

Instead, Parsons is likely to start the year on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, so he'll miss the first four games at least.

Notably, he might not be out for much longer. According to NFL Network's Clayton Holloway, he's told her he'll be back before the midpoint of the season, barring a setback.

Micah Parsons wants to return vs. the Dallas Cowboys

"Packers LB Micah Parsons just sat down on our ITC set with Brian Baldinger and Stacey Dales and tells them the "most optimistic" return date for him will be Week 6 vs Cowboys (Oct. 18)," Holloway shared on X.

Packers LB Micah Parsons just sat down on our ITC set with @BaldyNFL and @StaceyDales and tells them the "most optimistic" return date for him will be Week 6 vs Cowboys (Oct. 18). @nflnetwork @espn
— Clayton Holloway (@HollowayNFLN) August 10, 2026

Of course, it doesn't sound like much of a coincidence that Parsons is talking about that game in particular.

Things didn't end well between him and the Dallas Cowboys before the blockbuster trade that sent him to Wisconsin, and while he's already faced his former team, there will always be a storyline there.

Whatever the case, the Packers will most likely bring him up slowly and ramp him up later in the season. So, even if he plays, he'll likely be on a snap count.

Some guys need more than a full season to recover their explosiveness and confidence, and even the almighty Micah Parsons needs to take all cautionary measures to avoid a setback or aggravating the injury.

That said, Dak Prescott will be in for a long day if Parsons gets his wish.

Ernesto Cova

Ernesto is a bilingual (English-Spanish) sports writer with over eight years of experience covering major leagues such as the NBA, NFL, and MLB. Ernesto’s work focuses on providing insightful, up-to-date coverage of sports, blending his expertise in sports psychology with a passion for analyzing player performance, team dynamics, and trade developments across various sports leagues

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