HEADLINES

Packers’ Micah Parsons Uncertain To Play In Week 1?

September 2nd, 2025 at 9:50am CST by Adam La Rose

SEPTEMBER 2: During a Tuesday appearance on First Take, agent David Mulugheta said (via ESPN’s Rob Demovsky) Parsons’ back is feeling “much better” following the use of the corticosteroid. He added Parsons will push to play on Sunday, although his workload will be something to monitor.

SEPTEMBER 1: Through much of the Cowboys-Micah Parsons saga, back tightness was cited as the reason he did not participate in training camp practices. Following last week’s blockbuster trade to the Packers, Parsons is still dealing with the issue.

The All-Pro edge rusher has a facet joint sprain in his fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. This ailment — clearly a legitimate one, rather than a simple negotiating ploy during extension talks which proved to be rather contentious — has resulted in at least a degree of uncertainty regarding whether Parsons will play in Week 1, Schefter adds. Green Bay’s season kicks off Sunday against the Lions.

[RELATED: Parsons Attempted To Resume Cowboys Extension Talks Before Trade]

If Parsons is to suit up, an epidural injection may be required. The Cowboys had the four-time Pro Bowler on a plan involving the use of an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid for five days along with a physical therapy program prior to the trade. Parsons had been cleared by Dallas’ medical staff before seeking out a second opinion.

Parsons went through a limited Packers practice in his first workout — the first true practice work he has gone through since last season — but The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Matt Schneidman and Zach Powell add a full practice is possible later this week and that it would surprise if Parsons is not at least in uniform for some part-time work against the Lions. When asked about his health at his Packers introductory presser, Parsons described himself as “great” physically.

“Physically, I’m great. I think I can contribute a lot,” Parsons said. “I’m going to team up with the doctors in creating a plan. We already talked about how we can ramp things up and get me into a flow where they feel comfortable and I feel comfortable. But my plan is to be here. They didn’t give up what they gave up for me to sit on the sidelines and make this big of a risk and change for me to do that, so I’m going to give them my all.”

Green Bay sent two first-round picks and nine-year defensive tackle starter Kenny Clark to Dallas for Parsons, and the trade haul has been widely viewed as insufficient for a player on Parsons’ trajectory. While the Cowboys’ trade timing has drawn more scrutiny, Parsons having a genuine back issue does inject some risk for the Packers. Green Bay brass is clearly unconcerned through a long-term lens, as evidenced by the record-smashing extension (four years, $186MM), but the superstar’s short-term status will need to be monitored as his first Packers season nears.

Sam Robinson contributed to this post.

NFL Trade Rumors: Green Bay PackersMicah Parsons

View Comments (42)