Micah Parsons won't play again this season after tearing his ACL last week, but the Green Bay Packers could get him back sooner than expected.
Suffering such a significant injury so late in the year is always challenging. Parsons likely faces at least nine months on the sideline, and even if he returns on the same rapid timeline as Christian Watson from his ACL tear, we still likely wouldn't see him in action until around Week 5.
However, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport just dropped a more optimistic outlook. He reports that Parsons has a "good chance" of being ready for the start of next season.
"It is a clean ACL tear. Going to have surgery after they strengthen around the knee in the coming days and weeks. Faces a nine-month recovery, so has a chance, I would say a good chance to be ready for the start of the 2026 season," said Rapoport.
Micah Parsons has a 'good chance' to return in time for the start of the 2026 season
That's huge. Rapoport reporting that it's a "clean ACL tear" is about the best-case scenario after such a significant injury. It means Parsons avoided any further structural damage that could complicate the recovery process.
Watson made a lightning-fast return from a similar injury and looks better than ever this season. It's hard to believe he tore his ACL on January 5. Parsons will hope to make a similarly rapid return and waste no time rediscovering his best form.
Even then, Rapoport's update that he could be ready for the start of the season is surprising.
While the NFL hasn't announced the official start date of the 2026 season, the Thursday night kickoff will likely take place on September 10. The league typically begins the regular season a few days after Labor Day. Assuming the Packers play that Sunday, September 13, it would fall 272 days after his injury, almost exactly nine months (Parsons tore his ACL on December 15).
Everything would have to go smoothly in the recovery process, as a Week 1 return would push that nine-month recovery window.
For perspective, Watson returned after 294 days. Rashan Gary returned from an ACL tear after 289 days. For Parsons to be ready for Week 1, he'd need to beat both timelines.
It would back up Jeff Hafley's comments, though. He predicted that Parsons will break the NFL sack record next season, speaking about his mentality and how he will attack the recovery process.
Even if Parsons isn't ready for Week 1, this is an excellent update. The fact that it's even a possibility is significant. The Packers will be cautious and likely ease him in on a pitch count, similar to how they did this year, but even a handful of Parsons snaps can change a game.