Story perspectives

Parsons' ACL tear puts Packers star on PUP list

6/4/2026

Summary

Parsons PUP List

United States: Green Bay Packers rusher Micah Parsons will start the 2026 season on the PUP list.
Parsons tore his left ACL and had a meniscus cleanup during surgery on Dec 14, 2025.
He is five months into rehab, says four months remain, so a mid-October return fits the nine-month rule.
Parsons signed a four-year, $186 million contract through 2029 after Green Bay gave up two first-round picks and Kenny Clark.
He will miss the first four games and could debut in Week 6 on Oct 18 vs the Cowboys.
Parsons was a five-time Pro Bowler, three-time first-team All-Pro and posted 12.5 sacks in 2025.

Summary

Parsons Rehab Return

Parsons added running on an anti-gravity treadmill to his rehabilitation program.
He has stayed in daily contact with general manager Brian Gutekunst, coach Matt LaFleur and trainer Nate Weir throughout the recovery.
The Packers open preseason on Aug 13 against Aaron Rodgers-led Steelers, then travel to the Vikings, Jets and Buccaneers before their first home game.
If cleared, Parsons could return for the Week 5 rivalry against the Chicago Bears on Oct 11, a matchup noted for tense coach relations.
Green Bay was 9-3-1 in 2025 before his injury, then dropped the final four games and a wild-card loss to the Bears.

Summary

Parsons Week 3 Return

The NFL’s new rule lets players on the physically unable to perform list practice with their teams as early as Week 3, whereas they previously had to miss the first four games.
Christian Watson’s ACL recovery required nine months to return to practice and nine months + 21 days to play, a timeline Parsons cited as a benchmark.
Tight end Tucker Kraft, who tore his ACL, is projected to be ready around August 23, 2026, based on the same 294-day recovery period.
The Packers’ Week 5 game on October 4 at Tampa Bay aligns with the 294-day mark from Parsons’ December 14 ACL tear, indicating his earliest possible appearance.
Packers officials noted that Brenton Cox, rookie Dani Dennis-Sutton and Lukas Van Ness will see expanded roles while Parsons completes his nine-month protocol.

History

Historical Context

Since the NFL introduced the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) designation for pre-season injuries, players could not practice until the regular season began. In 2023 Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL Players Association revised the rule, allowing practice from Week 3, a change that now guides teams like the Green Bay Packers in managing long-term injuries.

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Parsons PUP List

United States: Green Bay Packers rusher Micah Parsons will start the 2026 season on the PUP list.
Parsons tore his left ACL and had a meniscus cleanup during surgery on Dec 14, 2025.
He is five months into rehab, says four months remain, so a mid-October return fits the nine-month rule.
Parsons signed a four-year, $186 million contract through 2029 after Green Bay gave up two first-round picks and Kenny Clark.
He will miss the first four games and could debut in Week 6 on Oct 18 vs the Cowboys.
Parsons was a five-time Pro Bowler, three-time first-team All-Pro and posted 12.5 sacks in 2025.

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