The Green Bay Packers are not expecting star edge rusher Micah Parsons to return from his ACL injury in Week 10, despite opening his practice window. Head coach Matt LaFleur said Parsons looks good but still needs more practice reps before the team is ready to build up his workload.
“He looks great, but he just doesn’t have a ton of reps under his belt, so we want to continue to build him up,” LaFleur said during his Friday press conference. He did not officially rule Parsons out, but his comments suggest the All-Pro is unlikely to play against the Minnesota Vikings.
## A Possible Week 12 Return
Parsons’ original offseason target was a return around Week 6, but his recovery took longer than planned. Along with a torn ACL, he suffered a meniscus injury, which slowed his progress. The team’s next anticipated target was around Week 12.
By returning to practice, Parsons began a 21-day window in which he can work toward a return to game action. The Packers have a bye in Week 11, so if he does not play in Week 10, Week 12 could be a possible target. Green Bay is scheduled to face the Los Angeles Rams on Wednesday, November 25. The midweek game would give Parsons time to practice beforehand, followed by an extended break before the Packers’ Week 13 game on Sunday, December 6.
Parsons has been limited in practice since the team opened his window. For now, Green Bay appears to be following its plan to gradually increase his workload rather than rushing him back.
## Packers Face Injury Concerns on the Edge
Parsons has been sidelined since Week 14 of the 2025 season. His absence contributed to a difficult end to the Packers’ season, which concluded with a first-round playoff exit. Green Bay has regrouped without him this year, and his return could strengthen the team’s chances of making a postseason run.
His potential absence is especially notable with the Packers facing Minnesota in a key divisional matchup. Edge rusher Lukas Van Ness is also on the injury report and has missed the last two days of practice. If both players are unavailable, starter Barryn Sorrell and backups Brenton Cox and Dani Dennis-Sutton could take on larger roles. The Packers may also call up Arron Mosby or Nyjalik Kelly from the practice squad to help fill in for Van Ness.
The matchup has significant NFC North implications: Minnesota is 6-2, while Green Bay is 6-3. A Packers win could move the teams past one another in the division standings.
