The Green Bay Packers shocked the NFL world (and especially their own fans) when they acquired All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons via trade with the Dallas Cowboys right before the start of the 2025 NFL regular season. With Parson in tow, Green Bay expected to have a dominating defense that would carry them deep into the NFL Playoffs.

But that did not happen.

To be sure, Parsons was by far and away the best player on the Packers defense. Unfortunately, the rest of the unit could not (or would not) match his effort and production.

This became all the more apparent when he suffered a torn ACL late in the year, and Green Bay could not generate consistent pressure without him.

The NFL announces a rule change that benefits Green Bay Packers star Micah Parsons
Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons (1) during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 12, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Bengals 27-18.Green Bay Packers defensive end Micah Parsons (1) during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 12, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Bengals 27-18.

 

Parsons tore his ACL on December 14, 2025. With a recovery expected to last 8-10 months, the Packers are not exactly certain as to when he will be able to return to play in 2026. If Parsons had his way, he would be starting in Week One. Green Bay, though, wants to be conservative with their investment and will follow the course of treatment and rehab their doctors suggest.

This means that it is more than likely that the All-Pro pass rusher may not be able to play until Week Four. If he starts the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, he will have to miss the first four games of the season.

And if this does indeed end up being the case, the NFL just passed a rule that will be highly beneficial to him:

From the league’s approved bylaws released today, this is a big one for Micah Parsons. Assuming he starts on PUP, before he would have had to wait to practice until after the Packers 4th game. Can now start his ramp up after the 2nd game of the season. pic.twitter.com/MfKjiCvAZy

— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) March 31, 2026

Prior to the 2026 NFL season, players returning from the PUP list could not practice until after their team’s fourth regular season game. This would result in teams opening up a player’s 21-day practice window at that time, but also meant that many players were not in good enough shape to play right away, forcing them to miss more games.

Under this new rule, though, teams can open up the 21-day practice window for players on the PUP list after their second game. In this instance, Parsons would still have to miss the first four games of the season, but he could return to practice after the second game.

Obviously, this would mean he could return to play in much better game shape than had he suffered this injury in any year prior.

For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!