Though the Green Bay Packers are playing the Carolina Panthers in Week 8 on Thursday night, one player who hasn't made their season debut is defensive star Micah Parsons. As the hope around the fanbase is that Parsons can return for the Packers soon, their wishes could be granted after hearing this report from an NFL insider.

According to league insider Ian Rapoport, Parsons is “expected to return to practice next week,” and while that's a great step in the right direction, his timetable for a return isn't clear.

“Well, the best news for the Green Bay Packers is that Micah Parsons is expected to return to practice next week. Obviously, the short week was not able to do it this week. Next week, he should be on the practice field if all goes well, and that is an excellent, excellent thing for the Green Bay Packers,” Rapoport said.

“The other part of this thing, they have been cautious,” Rapoport continued. “This is one of the most conservative medical steps in the NFL. I expect caution as far as when he is actually on the playing field. They want to make sure that everything around his knee is as strong as possible. They are taking their time, but his return is coming.”

Article Continues Below