Micah Parsons broke bad news for Green Bay fans which was expected. The star pass rusher said on Monday that his 2026 debut will come later than expected after his torn ACL.
Parsons is the Packers' acquisition from their preseason trade with the Cowboys in August. He pressured opposing quarterbacks for most of the year before he picked up the injury on December 14.
Parsons broke down his recovery status during his media availability. He did not sugarcoat the reality.
"There's a timing standpoint they want," Parsons said. "But I don't think I'll be on IR, I'll say that, to start the season. I think lofty, I'd be saying Week 1. But realistically, probably like Week 3 or Week 4. Just to make sure and just getting back into football, just practicing hard and getting ready to sustain taking my body through what I go through."
Medical staff informed Parsons that he is progressing ahead of the planned schedule. However, he admits that his playing style complicates the standard recovery process.
Micah Parsons must recreate game speed before activation
Medical protocols won't automatically approve Micah Parsons to come back on the field. He identified an obstacle between rehab completion and game readiness.
"I play so free and go," Parsons said. "I gotta learn how to simulate that in practice before they send me out there on the field."
His absence devastated Green Bay's season. The Packers went 0-5 following he went down, surrendering 30 or more points three times. Chicago defeated them twice in the final weeks, consisting of a 31-27 wild-card defeat on Saturday. The Bear completed an onside kick recovery and scored twice in the fourth quarter of their Week 16 fixture.
Parsons registered at least 12 sacks in each of his first five seasons. Green Bay defensive coordinator Jeff Jafley projects could threaten the single-season record Myles Garret cemented this year at 23. The positivity relies on Parsons returning by early September and staying healthy through December.