Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur finally admitted a chance exists for Micah Parsons to return to practice soon. This comes more than 10 months after the star edge rusher tore his left knee on December 14. For weeks, the answer was a flat refusal, but the tone shifted on Tuesday. LaFleur told reporters, “I sure hope so,” marking a stark change from his previous hard no.
The medical staff holds the final say on when Parsons can step back onto the field. LaFleur made his feelings clear while speaking to the press. That medical [decision] is what matters when the day concludes. Yeah, I’m itching [for] it, though, for sure, he said. He added simply, according to ESPN, “I’m saying there’s a chance.” Parsons tore his ACL and meniscus just before Christmas and had surgery two weeks later.
A Shift in Practice Plans
Parsons remains on the physically unable to perform list, which keeps him out of regular games. Once a player on this list returns to practice, the team has only three weeks to decide his roster spot. If the Packers bring him in next week, they must either keep him or place him on injured reserve by the deadline.
The Packers face the Panthers on Thursday, so they will not hold regular practices this week. After a trip to New England on November 8, Green Bay hosts the Vikings in Week 10. The team then takes a bye in Week 11. This timeline suggests the first real game action for Parsons could be the first post-bye game on November 25 against the Rams.
LaFleur acknowledged that his recent answer was different from the past month and a half. He knows the team needs his pass rush, but health comes first. The coach has faced this question weekly for six weeks. Parsons has done the hard work of recovery, but he still needs medical clearance. The team will see if his knee can handle NFL speed.
Another Star Finds His Way Back
While Parsons waits for the knee, Chicago Bears defensive end Montez Sweat has already returned to the field. Sweat served a two-game suspension for taking a banned substance by accident. One day after Chicago beat New England, he was reinstated on October 23. He will play in Week 8 when the Bears face the Seahawks on Monday Night Football.
Sweat described the time away as “devastating” to his reputation and his team. “It was a surprise. But you take a lick on the chin and keep moving forward,” Sweat said, according to ESPN. Missing those two games caused him to forfeit $2.3 million of his 2026 base salary. Sweat signed a four-year, $98 million deal when he joined the Bears in 2023. He had 12.5 sacks that season between Washington and Chicago.
The 30-year-old player took full responsibility for the failed test. “I never want to cheat the game, and I would never do it intentionally, but what happened, happened and I’m moving forward,” Sweat said. He did not appeal the suspension. Sweat now ranks fourth on his team with two sacks and seven tackles. He plans to return to his regular routine without specific changes to prevent future issues.
