Despite knowing that Micah Parsons could miss multiple games to start the season, the Green Bay Packers have stuck to their guns and relied on internal youth to prop up the pass rush. True to form, general manager Brian Gutekunst did not foray into the free-agent market earlier this offseason for edge rusher reinforcements. He did, however, add defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton in the draft.
Declining to do anything else thus far has come back to bite Green Bay. Parsons revealed that he will not, in fact, be back from his ACL injury as soon as he hoped. Team doctors have told him that he cannot participate in football activities until nine months post-surgery. Accounting for practices after his return, he could miss six games or more.Â
The update is disappointing, certainly, but it's not all that surprising, either. Nine months is a standard recovery time frame following extensive ACL procedures. Parsons also shared that he had an operation on his meniscus. From the sound of things, the Packers should be prepared to weather Parsons' absence for more than a third of the season.Â
Packers left themselves vulnerable by standing patÂ
While the Packers stabilized other areas of the defense with veteran additions, acquiring linebacker Zaire Alexander and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, that's typically not how they roll. Nonetheless, having some veteran depth in the pass rush would help right about now.Â
Even with Parsons healthy, Green Bay has committed to Lukas Van Ness as the second starter off the edge. He will be tasked with filling the shoes of Rashan Gary, especially with Kingsley Enagare, a rotational weapon, out the door as well.Â
Van Ness has underwhelmed in his young career, accumulating 8.5 sacks in 43 career games. He's also coming off an injury. But the team believes in him, and they should. His potential is obvious. In typical Packers fashion, the organization re-invested in the promise of home-grown talent by exercising his fifth-year option.Â
Keeping with the theme, Parsons' injury has gifted 2025 fourth-rounder Barryn Sorrell a golden opportunity to take a leading role in the rotation. The same applies to Collin Oliver, who missed most of last year injured, and Dennis-Sutton.Â
There is reason to be excited about the upside in every one of those names. Relying on them to hold down the fort when Parsons could miss six-plus games is a leap of faith.Â
Viable free agents remain on the market - Jadeveon Clowney, Cameron Jordan, AJ Epenesa - but so far, Gutekust has stood pat. Adding a veteran on a short-term contract would have made sense before the Parsons update. Now, the Packers may be wishing they did.
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