Nice try, Matt LaFleur. His attempt at some Micah Parsons gamesmanship isn't fooling anyone ahead of the Green Bay Packers' season opener with the Detroit Lions.
Parsons' back injury has sparked concerns about his status for Week 1, and LaFleur is giving cryptic answers at his coachspeak best.
"We'll see," LaFleur said about Parsons' chances of playing. "He's doing everything in his power. Got to get through a couple practices to see how he responds, but certainly hopeful."
But the Packers' actions speak far louder than words. It's hard to imagine the All-Pro pass-rusher missing his Lambeau Field debut.
Packers' actions speak far louder than their words on Micah Parsons' status for Week 1
While LaFleur is giving us maybes and we'll-sees at the podium, he's busy putting Parsons through work on the practice field. The kind of work he'd unlikely participate in if there were any legitimate concerns over his back.
Practice videos show Parsons hitting the sleds and leaping into the air to attempt a one-handed catch. Yeah, they're hardly taking it easy. If the Packers had any kind of long-term concern, which would be understandable after giving up two first-rounders and Pro Bowler Kenny Clark in the trade, they'd take it incredibly cautiously.
Consider Jordan Love not concerned, either. QB1 has already drawn up the script for Sunday's game.
"They gotta do defense," Love said, via The Athletic's Matt Schneidman, when asked if the Packers should announce the offensive or defensive starters at Lambeau on Sunday. "Micah last. Crowd's gonna go crazy. I already see it. Defense go out there first. Get a three and out. Micah get a sack on third down. I already see it."
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Parsons is officially limited on the Packers' first injury report of the season. And that's probably accurate. Parsons skipped the Cowboys' training camp and preseason, so naturally, the Packers have to ease him in to some extent.
And, yes, Parsons is clearly dealing with a legitimate back issue.
Perhaps LaFleur is on the money when saying Parsons' status for Week 1 is uncertain, but based on the reports from practice, it screams pure gamesmanship.
Who's he fooling? The Lions will prepare for Parsons. Packers fans are ready.
After taking one look at the practice footage, it looks clear as day that the Packers' new No. 1 is on track to make life miserable for Jared Goff and the Lions on Sunday.