Packers defensive end Micah Parsons took a big step back into the lineup Wednesday when he took part in practice for the first time since tearing his ACL last December.
Parsons was limited to individual work on his first day back, and coach Matt LaFleur said the team will take it “one day at a time” as Parsons returns. LaFleur added that he hopes Parsons will be ready for game action sooner rather than later and reports have shown that the team’s Week 12 Thanksgiving game against the Rams is the target, but Parsons isn’t looking at a specific date at this point.
“I’m not going to say too much because even if I played, I don’t want them to game plan for it,” Parsons said in a media session after practice. “I just want it to be a surprise. I just want it to be a fulfilling moment for myself, the staff — just to enjoy the day and not put too much pressure on the day. Even my family was asking me, ‘Are you going to play? Do we have to buy flights to go out there?’ “. . . It is what it is. You can buy your flight and cancel last minute, it’s up to you, but I’m not going to set a day to let anyone down or hold people to expectations I can’t meet.’ I have 20 days to build and hopefully on that 21st day I feel incredible.”
Parsons said he’s looking forward to increasing his participation in practice next week and that he understands he needs to “get more into some football shape” because his conditioning isn’t where it needs to be. That should improve over the next two weeks and that should put Parsons in good stead for the Rams game if everything continues to play out the way it should.