It's no secret that the Green Bay Packers are anxiously awaiting the return of star edge rusher Micah Parsons. Recently, Parsons updated everyone on when he could be back on the field.
In a recent episode of his podcast series with Bleacher Report, Parsons spoke with football and quarterback coach Quincy Avery about a number of topics. Eventually, the topic of Parsons' eventual return to the field came up.
"I'm not going to lie, the rehab is going really good," Parsons said. "We're getting stronger. We're moving a little bit now. We're running. We're starting to change direction. It's coming along."
As for when he might come back? Parsons knows fans are hoping for a Week 6 return, which coincidentally comes against the Dallas Cowboys, his former team. Parsons refused to confirm or deny that, but he did note that a return that early was maybe a little too "optimistic" at this point.
"I think the people really want Week 6, I just want to come back when I'm feeling like myself again. I say Week 6 would be optimistic," said Parsons. "The (21-day practice) window opens the first week of October, two, three weeks of practice, but the reality is you gotta feel like yourself, you gotta be moving again. I don't wanna go out there and embarrass myself."
Micah Parsons is working on his return, but won't be back until he's fully ready
Parsons did note that, whenever he does return, it would be "up" for him and Packers nation, a sign that he's excited to get on the field.
While it's not exactly new news, it isn't too surprising to hear that Parsons doesn't think a Week 6 return is likely. Parsons has said from the start that he wouldn't be cleared to even practice until nine months after his surgery, which took place at the end of December 2025.
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That would mean his practice window likely won't open until the very end of September, and it's unlikely he'll feel game-day ready with just a handful of practices under his belt, which makes an October 18 game all the less likely to play in.
While it's realistic for Parsons to technically be able to play beginning Week 6, that feels more like the best-case scenario than one that will actually happen. In all likelihood, it seems more realistic that the Packers and Parsons could be looking at a Week 8 or 9 return, which would see him return sometime in late October or early November.
It also wouldn't be too shocking to see the team wait a bit longer and allow Parsons to return during Week 12 against the Los Angeles Rams. This would give Parsons a full extra month, plus the team's bye week in Week 11, to get ready, but would also leave the Packers without Parsons for over half the season, which the team is likely fine with, so long as Parsons gets the maximum amount of recovery and rehabilitation.
To his credit, it seems like Parsons is being as cautious and careful as he should be. The young star is by all accounts a future Hall of Famer, so returning too quickly would be silly for him to do.
Likewise, the Packers have invested a lot in Parsons and should be as cautious as possible with him. Whenever he does end up returning, fans will be ready to see Parsons wreck shop on the defensive line again, and hopefully lead the team on a playoff push when he does come back.
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