The Green Bay Packers was again without star edge rusher Micah Parsons as they face the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday Night Football. Green Bay has not yet opened his 21-day practice window While Parsons is now eligible to begin practicing under the NFL’s updated physically unable to perform (PUP) rules.
The linebacker continues his recovery from a season-ending knee injury suffered late last year.
Once Green Bay opens that 21-day period, the club can gradually evaluate him before deciding whether to move him to the active roster. Green Bay faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4, making the Oct. 11 matchup against the Chicago Bears the earliest possible game for his return. LaFleur’s latest comments indicate the team is not rushing the recovery process, leaving Week 5 uncertain. Parsons previously identified the Packers’ Week 6 game against his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, on Oct. 18 as a realistic target. Parsons originally suffered the injury while pursuing Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix during a game in December 2025.
Because he must sit out the first four games, Parsons cannot return before Week 5. the team has not activated his practice window Although Parsons became eligible to resume practicing after the Packers completed their second game. However, that timeline depends on when the Packers activate his practice window. The torn ACL, combined with meniscus damage, required reconstructive surgery and months of rehabilitation. At the time, he acknowledged he would likely miss several games but remained optimistic about returning during the first half of the season.
Speaking to CBS Sports in August, he said the Packers’ medical staff would determine whether he was ready but declined to guarantee that date. In June, Parsons said Green Bay expected him to follow a roughly nine-month recovery plan.
