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Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons
Green Bay Packers star Micah Parsons‘ season was ended abruptly after tearing his ACL in December, an injury that typically takes nine to 12 months to return from.
Parsons hopes to buck that trend.
During locker cleanout day after the Packers fell in the first round of the NFC playoffs, Parsons told reporters he expects to return from injury in the first four weeks of the 2026 regular season.
“Parsons said he wants to return Week 1, but that doing so in Week 3 or 4 is more realistic,” The Athletic’s Matt Schneidmann reported on January 12.
Schneidmann added that Parsons said he is rehabbing his ACL in Green Bay for another couple of weeks before visiting him in Dallas, Texas, and a doctor in Florida this offseason.
Parsons was transparent with his feelings throughout the recovery process, admitting it’s “the most challenging thing that I’ve ever faced as a human.”
That’s leading to a highly anticipated return for the 26-year-old edge rusher.
“It’s going to be crazy. I just look forward to putting on a show,” Parsons told reporters. “There’s a lot of aggression that is built up right now. There’s a lot of pain that I feel like I’m suffering that other people need to feel, too, and everything is leading up to that return date and getting back there on the field. And it’s gonna be all year. When the game gets taken away from you, it’s a different-level mindset you come back with and I’m ready to see that person and that player.”
Micah Parsons Gets Honest About Gratitude for Packers Staff During Recovery
Throughout his final interview this season, Parson was vulnerable about his recovery.
“So far, they say I’m flying, so whatever that means,” Parsons told reporters. “It’s hard because I’m not a very vulnerable person and during this period, I’ve probably been the most vulnerable I’ve been in the last like, probably my whole life, in telling people how much I need them and appreciate them being there for me. Because, to be honest, man, you can’t go through this injury by yourself. Like, you have to have — I can’t even put my own drawers on, man. Like, I can’t shower by myself. I can’t even get off the bed myself, so I couldn’t imagine being alone.
“When you talk about pain, can’t sleep, can’t move around, you can’t turn over without your leg going into damn near, ‘Oh, s***’ like you’re jumping out of your sleep,” he added. “I can’t remember the last time I slept through the night. My body’s tired. My mind’s tired. I’m exhausted, man. But it’s going to be worth it once I’m able to move and play again.”
Micah Parsons Sets NFL Record in Abridged 2025 Season
Parsons’ arrival in Green Bay sparked Super Bowl ambitions before he even stepped on the field. He started the season on a limited snap count while dealing with a back injury.
That didn’t stop Parsons from making waves as the gravity he commanded on the field turned the Packers into one of the most formidable defenses this season.
Parson earned first-team All-Pro honors, tallying 12.5 sacks to become the first player in league history to post 12 sacks in each of their first five seasons. a
Trevor Squire is a sports journalist covering the NFL and NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Timberwolves and Milwaukee Bucks. Trevor studied journalism at the University of Minnesota — Twin Cities, making stops at the Star Tribune and the St. Paul Pioneer Press. You can reach him at trevor.squire@heavy.com and follow him on Twitter @trevordsquire. More about Trevor Squire
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