The Green Bay Packers are back at .500, but the news around Micah Parsons makes their next stretch look a lot tougher.
Green Bay sits at 2-2 after a few major operation issues, and there was at least a small boost in Week 4 when the offensive line showed signs of life. Even so, the bigger concern hasn’t gone away. Parsons is still recovering from the season-ending ACL injury he suffered in 2025, and the return window he mentioned - Week 6 - may not happen.
According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, the Packers are not expected to open Parsons’ 21-day practice window anytime soon. That pushes a Week 6 comeback out of reach and could keep him sidelined for more than half of the regular season.
“Parsons is eligible to come off the physically unable to perform list in Week 5, but he isn’t expected to return to practice next week. And while there have been no setbacks, it’s possible that the five-time Pro Bowl selection won’t play in a game until November,” Pelissero reported.
If that timeline holds, Green Bay may not see Parsons back until Week 9 on the road against the New England Patriots, which would be the Packers’ first game in November. Another possibility is waiting one more week for a home debut against the Minnesota Vikings before the bye.
That would put his return in the middle of a demanding run that includes home games against the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys in Weeks 5 and 6, a road trip to face the Detroit Lions, and then a Thursday Night Football matchup with the Carolina Panthers. It’s a brutal stretch against offenses that can stress a defense in a hurry.
The Packers’ defense has mostly held up against everyone except Bijan Robinson, but losing their best player while contending teams are hitting their stride would still be a serious problem for Jonathan Gannon.
At the same time, there’s no reason for Green Bay to force it. Parsons has already made it clear he’ll only return when he feels ready to be himself and play at a high level, and the Packers have to think beyond this season.
He remains one of the most disruptive defenders in football, and with Edgerrin Cooper likely out for the season, Parsons’ leadership and versatility would be even more valuable. For now, the Packers will keep leaning on Lukas Van Ness and hoping his early breakout is the real thing.
The one upside is that a November return would still leave Parsons time to get his legs back under him before the playoffs.
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