Micah Parsons provides injury update, says Week 1 return is a possibility in 2026 after torn ACL
The Green Bay Packers lost in devastating fashion on Saturday, but got some positive news two days later. Star pass rusher Micah Parsons said Monday that he could return from his torn ACL in time to play in the team's Week 1 game next season.
Parsons said a Week 1 return was a possibility, though added that Week 3 or Week 4 was a more realistic date for his return. He said he's been told he's "flying" through his rehab.
Micah Parsons said he wants to be ready for Week 1. Realistically, he expects a Week 3 return. pic.twitter.com/mHExK2rVpF
- Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) January 12, 2026
Parsons' comments on his return read:
"There's a timing standpoint they want. But I don't think I'll be on IR, I'll say that, to start the season. I think lofty, I'd be saying Week 1. But realistically, probably like Week 3 or Week 4. Just to make sure and just getting back into football, just practicing hard and getting ready to sustain taking my body through what I go through."
He added that he'll need to find a way to simulate the intensity of a game during practices so that he can feel like himself once he's activated next season.
Parsons also spoke about Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, who was subject to rumors about his job security following the team's 31-27 loss to the Chicago Bears in the wild-card round.
Despite some rumors suggesting LaFleur's job was in danger, the Packers reportedly want to work out an extension with the head coach. Parsons was fully supportive of that decision, giving LaFleur a vote of confidence Monday.
Parsons said LaFleur's presence on the Packers played a significant role in Parsons wanting to be traded to the franchise.
Micah Parsons with a strong endorsement of Packers coach Matt LaFleur.
- Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) January 12, 2026
I reached out to him when I started seeing this and I said, When I agreed to come here, you were part of the reason.'" pic.twitter.com/f8dNblb9Fc
The Packers will eagerly await Parsons' return next season. Without the star pass rusher, the team went 0-5 down the stretch. The team's typically excellent defense crumbled without Parsons, giving up at least 30 points in three of its last five games. Over that stretch, the Packers also experienced two fourth-quarter collapses against the rival Bears. In addition to the team's wild-card loss to Chicago, the Packers also lost in Week 16 thanks to an onside kick recovery, fourth-down touchdown and then an overtime score by the Bears. It was a highly disappointing development for a team that started the year 9-3-1.
With Parsons and - presumably - LaFleur back, the Packers will once again be considered a contender in a suddenly tough NFC North. Parsons was on his way to setting a few new career-highs in his first season in Green Bay, and things might have gone differently down the stretch had the star remained healthy.
The Packers will hope Parsons can keep up his strong play next season, and that his presence leads to the deep playoff run the team failed to accomplish during his first year with the franchise.