Micah Parsons has yet to make his season debut. A patient approach is set to continue in his case, but a target appears to be in place regarding a return to game action.
The Packers are targeting Week 12 for Parsons to make his first appearance of 2026, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports. That game against the Rams will come on Thanksgiving Eve against the Rams. It will mark Green Bay’s first contest after the team’s bye week. A November debut in general and a Week 12 appearance in particular is expected, Tom Pelissero of The Ringer confirms.
“At the end of the day, that’s the medical [decision],” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said (via Rapoport) when speaking about Parsons’ long-awaited return. “Yeah, I’m itching [for] it, though, for sure.”
Plenty of work remains for Parsons to begin his second season with Green Bay. A return to individual drills in practice is expected to take place next week. Participation in full team work could then follow one week later. The Packers will have 21 days to bring Parsons onto the active roster once his practice window opens, and much of that time may wind up being used. Team and player have remained committed to a cautious approach since his ACL tear.
Parsons, 27, posted 12.5 sacks in 14 games prior to his injury. Expectations for elite production will be high once he is back in the fold, and the All-Pro’s return could offer a notable boost to a Packers team which currently leads the league in sacks. Green Bay sits at 5-3 on the year thanks to Thursday’s win, but the NFC North figures to remain highly competitive through the rest of the season.
Upon being acquired in a blockbuster trade one week before kickoff in 2025, Parsons inked an extension averaging $46.5MM per year. He is under contract through 2029 as a result, making patience a sensible approach. A return to action relatively soon is on the horizon, though.