It. Is. Happening.
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed that the "intention" is for Micah Parsons to practice this week for the first time since tearing his ACL last December.
It's a notable step, but some patience is still required before we see Parsons back out there in regular-season action. LaFleur said it's a "process." Parsons hasn't had the benefit of training camp or preseason, so the Packers will cautiously ramp up his reps over multiple weeks before his return.
The Packers will open Parsons' 21-day practice window, allowing them to keep him off the 53-man roster until he's ready to play or the three weeks are up, whichever comes first.
So, when could Parsons make his season debut? Below, we'll go through the Packers' upcoming games and project how likely he is to return that week.
Projecting how likely Micah Parsons is to return in Packers' upcoming games
Week 9: Packers at Patriots: 0 percent chance
Don't expect to see Parsons on the field in New England this week. It would be a massive roll of the dice to have him play even a small number of snaps after just one week of practice.
He's had no training camp. The Packers will take it slowly and cautiously, which means we likely won't see him return for several weeks.
Week 10: Packers vs. Vikings: 15 percent chance
You could talk yourself into playing Parsons on a pitch count, considering the importance of the game, but this is a situation where your head has to win the argument over your heart. Fortunately, the Packers have a conservative medical staff and won't risk rushing Parsons back just because the Vikings are coming to town.
Even 15 percent could be a little high, because there's no indication that Parsons will return after two weeks of practice. But it's not impossible. If he looks good, feels good, and has approval from the medical staff to play a small number of snaps, maybe.
But I wouldn't count on it, especially with the bye week coming up immediately after.
Parsons has repeatedly said his goal is to return at 100 percent to ensure he's a full-go for a potential playoff run. He doesn't want to cut any corners. That's why returning against Minnesota after only two weeks of practice seems highly improbable.
Week 11: Bye
The bye week is pretty well timed. Parsons gets an additional week of ramp-up time without missing a game. It's a bizarre bye this year, as Green Bay plays on Wednesday night in Week 12, so the players will have to begin preparations for that game earlier than usual.
Still, the timing of the Packers' bye makes it even more likely they keep him out until this point.
Week 12: Packers at Rams: 95 percent chance
Parsons' 21-day practice window will expire in Week 12, and the Packers will have to activate him to the 53-man roster. That doesn't mean he has to play against the Los Angeles Rams, but assuming no setbacks between now and then, this is the date to circle.
And it sounds like the Packers agree. According to Tom Pelissero of The Ringer, Week 12 is the "most likely return date" for Parsons. Pelissero does believe there's a chance he could play against the Vikings, but it's unlikely.
The timing couldn't be much better. Parsons will return in time for a tough late-season push, and he can have a bigger impact than any veteran moved at the trade deadline.
So many heavyweight clashes in that seven-game stretch. Talk about a monumental clash to walk back into against the Rams, who should have Myles Garrett back on the other side of the ball by then.
The Packers will need Parsons when Josh Allen comes to Lambeau, and those two divisional games against Chicago and Detroit could have so much on the line.
Week 13: Packers at Saints: >99 percent chance
Parsons is expected to return before Week 13, which is why we've put this above 99 percent. Of course, it's all dependent on how he feels and how his body responds to the first few practice sessions. The Packers will move with caution, as they should.
But based on everything we know today, with Parsons about to make his return to practice, all signs point to him being back comfortably before the Packers head to the Superdome on December 6.
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