Multiple league insiders have indicated that a Week 9 return is the more likely scenario. One report noted the earliest possible date as November 8, when the Packers would face the New England Patriots. The team has not opened his 21-day practice window yet, which means Parsons would have three weeks to practice once the window is opened. If he isn’t activated after that window closes, he would remain on injured reserve for the season.
The Packers have typically held players out about nine months after major surgeries, though individual timelines can vary. For reference, Christian Watson and Tucker Kraft both returned to practice around the nine-month mark this year. Parsons, however, has not yet participated in practice, and the team emphasizes that his progress is ongoing rather than a setback.
As the timeline shifts, the likelihood of a Week 7 return appears slim, with Week 8 also unlikely given the Thursday Night Football schedule. If Parsons remains on the same pace, a Week 9 activation would allow for a more extended ramp-up period, potentially giving him two to three full weeks of practice before game action. There is also a possibility the team could activate him earlier, but current expectations center on Week 9 as the earliest feasible return.
In summary, Parsons’ return remains a developing situation, with Week 9 emerging as the most probable target for his first game back as the Packers continue to manage his recovery and ramp-up.
