The Green Bay Packers desperately need good news after Thursday night’s 35-14 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Micah Parsons could soon provide it. While the injured superstar energized teammates from the sideline, NFL insider James Palmer revealed that the edge rusher is approaching a critical stage in his rehabilitation from a torn ACL.
When will Micah Parsons return to the field? The next couple of days will play a part. My report on @NFLonPrime postgame show. pic.twitter.com/V8kKX01QvZ
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) September 25, 2026
“The next couple of days are kind of big for him,” Palmer said, noting that Parsons has “some benchmarks” and medical testing ahead. Passing those evaluations could determine when Green Bay opens his practice window and provide a clearer picture of his return timeline.
Parsons has been on the reserve/PUP list since August. That guarantees he will miss at least Green Bay’s first four games. However, Week 6 against his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, remains a realistic target. Parsons previously called that return date “very realistic.” However, the Packers have emphasized a cautious approach to his recovery.
Selected 12th overall by Dallas in 2021, Parsons immediately became one of the NFL’s premier defensive forces. He has earned five consecutive Pro Bowl selections and four All-Pro honors while becoming the only player since sacks became an official statistic in 1982 to record at least 12 sacks in each of his first five seasons. After joining Green Bay in 2025, Parsons recorded 12.5 sacks in 14 games before his season ended with the ACL injury.
Now, the Packers are waiting for the next medical checkpoint. If Parsons clears it, the path toward his return could finally become much clearer. Green Bay fell to 1-2 in the 2026 NFL season after their Week 3 loss to the Falcons.