Micah Parsons’ Packers debut in doubt after reported back sprain; epidural possible for Week 1
Reports say the newly acquired pass rusher has an L4/L5 facet joint sprain and was prescribed a short course of prednisone ahead of Sunday’s opener against Detroit.
Micah Parsons’ availability for the Green Bay Packers’ season opener is in question after reports Monday said the newly acquired edge rusher is dealing with a lower-back injury that could require an epidural injection to play.
ESPN reported that Parsons has an L4/L5 facet joint sprain and was prescribed a five-day course of prednisone, an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid, while he was on a physical therapy program with the Dallas Cowboys prior to being traded. The report said medical staff were considering an epidural to manage pain and help make him available for Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field.
Parsons, a four-time Pro Bowler who agreed to a four-year, $188 million contract with Green Bay, was traded from the Cowboys this past Thursday in a deal that sent two first-round draft picks and All-Pro defensive tackle Kenny Clark to Dallas, according to team announcements and media reports. He was seen at Packers practice on Monday, his first with the team, but multiple reports cautioned it was unclear whether he will play Sunday.
The Cowboys had listed Parsons with “back tightness” during training camp, a designation that drew scrutiny amid contract negotiations earlier this preseason. Dallas medical staff reportedly had Parsons on a physical therapy regimen and prescribed the short prednisone course as part of treatment before the trade. ESPN and other outlets reported that Green Bay’s medical staff is continuing evaluations and considering injection options aimed at reducing inflammation and pain for game-day availability.
Packers coaches and team officials have not provided a definitive update on Parsons’ status for the opener. The team signed Parsons to bolster its pass rush after the trade, and his potential absence would alter defensive plans for Green Bay as it faces a Detroit offense led by a high-volume passing attack.
Parsons, 25, has established himself as one of the NFL’s premier playmakers since entering the league, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and All-Pro honors with the Cowboys. The trade and subsequent contract with Green Bay were among the most significant roster moves of the offseason, and the organization has been preparing to integrate him into the defensive front before the regular season begins.
An epidural injection is commonly used to control pain in the short term for athletes with certain types of spine or nerve irritation, though long-term management depends on diagnostic testing and response to treatment. Team medical staffs generally weigh the benefits and risks of injections when considering short-term availability for high-stakes games.
If Parsons does not play Sunday, the Packers will enter the season opener without their newly signed edge rusher and may lean on other front-seven personnel to generate pressure. If he is cleared after treatment and any needed injections, it would allow Green Bay to field him in a high-profile matchup at Lambeau Field against a division rival.
The Packers’ official injury reports and any game-day decisions are expected in the lead-up to kickoff, when teams must declare inactive players and provide updated medical information under NFL guidelines. Media outlets including ESPN and Fox News reported the initial medical details on Monday, citing team and league sources.
As the Packers finalize preparations for Week 1, questions about Parsons’ status add a medical subplot to the team’s efforts to assimilate a high-profile free-agent acquisition. Further updates are expected as Green Bay approaches game day and completes its evaluations and treatment decisions.