Just for a moment, it looked like somehow, some way, Micah Parsons had avoided the PUP list to begin training camp.
False alarm. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport initially released a list of Green Bay Packers players who will begin training camp on the PUP list, and Parsons wasn't among them. However, there's a reason for that.
According to The Athletic's Matt Schneidman, the Packers will add Parsons to the PUP list on Tuesday, noting that it's just a timing issue. After that brief moment of excitement, we're exactly where we expected with Parsons.
Follow along with the latest injury updates on Micah Parsons' recovery here
Packers adding Micah Parsons to the PUP list is exactly what was expected
Parsons is almost seven months removed from ACL surgery. He also had a meniscus cleanup, and the Packers have a strict nine-month recovery period before he can return to football activities. That's why it was a surprise when Parsons wasn't initially placed on the PUP list.
Some have compared his recovery to Patrick Mahomes', as they suffered ACL injuries on the same day. However, the two injuries are very different. Mahomes had surgery within a few days of the injury due to also suffering an LCL injury. Parsons, meanwhile, also needed a meniscus cleanup and didn't have surgery until December 29.
That's why Mahomes has been cleared for training camp, whereas Parsons is still a couple of months away from returning to football activities.
Different positions also require different recovery times. Parsons' play is so dependent on his ability to explode off the line of scrimmage, cut, and change direction. The Packers would be putting him at risk of suffering a setback by having him return too soon.
When will Micah Parsons return?
All signs point to the Packers waiting at least nine months post-surgery before Parsons returns to football activities. That would be around September 29, the week of their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
However, his return to action may come several weeks after that.
Parsons would need time to ramp up his practice time, get comfortable with his knee, and ensure he's a full go by the time he's cleared to play. That requires patience, especially with no training camp to get reps.
That's why a return somewhere between Weeks 8 and 12 seems the most realistic right now. If anyone can beat that projection, it's Parsons, but the Packers are understandably being extra cautious not to rush him back too soon.
And that's 100 percent the way to go. The Packers need Parsons fully healthy late in the year, making it important not to cut corners in his recovery.
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