Micah Parsons was back at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, but not in uniform for the Green Bay Packers’ Week 2 matchup with the New York Jets.
The linebacker stayed sidelined as he continues recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in December 2025. Green Bay opened the season by placing Parsons on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list, which keeps him out for the first four games.
Even so, Parsons still found a familiar face before kickoff. He linked up with Destiny Rodriguez, a fellow Penn State alum who works for the Jets, and she posted a photo of the two standing on the field. Parsons later shared the picture on his own Instagram Story.
"Getting to see my Penn State guys always makes my days (white heart emoji)," Destiny Rodriguez wrote.
Parsons spent two seasons at Penn State, playing in 2018 and 2019 before opting out of the 2020 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
His injury came in just his 14th game with the Packers. Before arriving in Green Bay, Parsons spent the first four seasons of his career with the Dallas Cowboys, then was traded on August 28, 2025.
The rehab work has been visible for weeks. In late July, Parsons posted a set of Instagram photos as he got ready for Packers training camp, including shots from the gym while he worked back from the knee injury. He paired those images with a message about patience, family, and the process of getting healthy.
"I’m not chasing the player I used to be. I’m chasing the standard I owe myself, my family, and everyone who believes in me.
The offseason demanded patience, discipline, faith, and the strength to keep going when no one was watching. My family’s love gave me purpose when the hurt tried to take it away.
It’s bigger than me now. My little ones are watching, and every step I take is to leave them a legacy they’ll be proud of.
🦁," Parsons wrote on Instagram.
Parsons is expected to be cleared to practice with the Packers in Week 3, giving him two weeks to get ready before the timetable to return to game action begins.
In Other News...
Caleb Williams Injury Suddenly Changes What Packers Fans Should Expect
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Tyson Bagent stepped in for Williams, and Chicago now has a difficult stretch ahead while the rookie starters availability is up in the air. The range on the recovery is wide enough to matter for Green Bay, because the Packers may have to prepare for a Bears offense that looks very different depending on how long Williams is sidelined. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Open Week 2 With A Road Twist Fans Will Notice Fast
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New York is planning to lean into the moment with a new White-out alternate uniform, while Green Bay will show up in its traditional home look on the road. It is the kind of setup that gives an early September game a little more texture, especially with TV and radio coverage in place and the usual matchup details drawing attention before the teams even take the field. [Read more 🡒]
Matt LaFleur Shares Mixed Packers Injury News After Scary Reed Exit
Jayden Reeds exit added an uneasy note to what Green Bay was trying to navigate on Sunday, and Matt LaFleurs update afterward at least offered one immediate measure of relief. The Packers coach said Reed has movement in all extremities and will remain overnight for observation after the frightening injury, a development that matters more than anything else when a player leaves the field in that kind of situation.
The injury report did not stop there for Green Bay, though, because offensive tackle Zach Bako-Bewele also went down with a knee injury that LaFleur indicated is likely long-term. The Packers now have one situation that will be watched closely in the short term and another that appears headed for a much longer absence, leaving the team to wait on Reed while also bracing for a prolonged loss up front. [Read more 🡒]
