Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst previously stated that the team expects edge rusher Micah Parsons to return early in the 2026 season after recovering from a torn ACL. However, Gutekunst did not specify an exact timeline for Parsons’ potential absence.
On Thursday, a new report provided additional clarity. ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed that Parsons is a candidate to start the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. If placed on the PUP list, Parsons would be ineligible to play in the first four weeks of the regular season.
While Parsons could return to practice during that four-week window, remaining on the PUP list into the regular season would mean he did not participate in training camp practices. The Packers will gain a clearer understanding of Parsons’ availability well before Week 1, and the team will determine which games he might miss once the NFL schedule is released on Thursday night.