Latest Micah Parsons injury update is bad news for Packers

Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Latest Micah Parsons injury update is bad news for Packers

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Oct 17, 2026 2:33 PM ET

When the NFL schedule was released, many fans circled the upcoming game between the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys as the week that superstar linebacker Micah Parsons would return.

Parsons has been working his way back from a torn ACL suffered in Week 15 last season, and it's safe to assume even he hoped his return date would be against Dallas.

That is not the case, though. An update was given Saturday on the earliest that Parsons may be able to get on the field this season.

Micah Parsons is still weeks away from returning

According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, Parsons is still not ready to practice, meaning it will likely be quite some time before he is ready to play.

Parsons will likely need most of, if not his full 21-day window to practice and ramp up for game action. Because of that, Pelissero reported that the Packers' Nov. 8 against the New England Patriots would be the absolute earliest Parsons is able to return to action.

Josh Jacobs will immediately return as the Packers’ starting running back next week at Detroit.

Meanwhile, Micah Parsons still isn’t ready to practice, making it unlikely he plays before Nov. 8 against the Patriots at the soonest.

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— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 17, 2026

Green Bay's defense will only get better when Micah Parsons returns

In certain aspects, the Packers defense has been solid this season. They rank fifth in passing yards allowed per game (181.0) and 15th in points per game allowed (22.4).

They've done a decent job getting to the quarterback, though, as they are tied for the ninth-most sacks recorded this season with 14. That is an area Parsons thrives in, and it is a number that should increase when he returns. Parsons has 65 career sacks across five seasons, including 12.5 in 14 games last year.

Getting back to 100% health is the most important thing for Parsons, and it will be intriguing to see just how dominant he can be when he eventually gets back on the field.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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