Green Bay Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons is getting close to returning to the practice field, but the All-Pro edge rusher has no intention of rushing back before he has “all the small things fixed” and “everything is right” in both his knee and all the supporting structures of his lower body.
The hope is to ensure there are no overcompensation injuries once he returns.
On his podcast, “The Edge,” Parsons explained his thought process on the comeback trail from an ACL reconstruction:
Micah Parsons on his podcast, The Edge: “The biggest thing that people worried about with me, they’re like, ‘Man, why ain’t he back yet?’ If the Super Bowl was this week, I’m playing in the Super Bowl. But it’s just about me making sure I have all the small things fixed first.… pic.twitter.com/wY18PNUN1M
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Parsons has long said he won’t return until he feels like he can be himself, and the Packers are likewise interested in protecting the long-term future of one of their most important players. Neither side wants Parsons to return too soon and either lack playmaking ability or risk a soft-tissue injury or another long-term injury.
Earlier this week, coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Parsons wouldn’t practice this week, but his return nears.
“As soon as they give us the green light, he’ll be out there,” LaFleur said on Monday. “That hasn’t happened yet, but I think we’re getting closer.”
LaFleur said there is “a lot of testing” that goes on before a player returns from a major injury like an ACL tear.
It appears the last steps are rebuilding strength and making sure Parsons is symmetrical in terms of strength and stability in both of his legs.
“You don’t want one leg to be that much stronger than the other leg,” LaFleur said.
The Packers the Dallas Cowboys on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 6. Parsons won’t play against his former team, and he is unlikely to return until Week 8 or 9, at the earliest. But Parsons is checking boxes so that when he does return, he is less likely to immediately be hampered by another injury.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers All-Pro Micah Parsons explains why he isn’t practicing yet