Former Penn State star Micah Parsons sounds optimistic about his recovery from his ACL surgery, giving an update about when he plans to return to the Green Bay Packers.
The Packers were recently eliminated by the Chicago Bears in the Wild Card Round, and having Parsons likely would’ve changed that.
Regardless, he’s hurt and has a long process ahead of him.
Speaking recently about his rehab process, Parsons didn’t give a perfect update on when he’ll return, but he also didn’t sound like someone worried about missing much time next year.
“Sometime in September,” he said, per Bill Huber. “I want to be at a really good spot. I think so far, they say I’m flying, so whatever that means. But there’s a timing standpoint they want, but I don’t think I’ll be on IR [actually, PUP] – I would say that – to start the season.
“I think lofty, I’d be saying Week 1, but realistically, probably like Week 3, Week 4, just to make sure and just getting back into football, just practicing hard and getting ready to sustain, taking my body through what I go through, so I think it’s just more of that. Like I play so free and go [so hard] and chip [blocks], and I got to learn how to simulate that in practice before they just send me out there on the field. So, I think it’s more of that so I just feel like myself.”
That last part is important, as Parsons is saying that he not only wants to get back but also wants to be himself.
Parsons being himself is Parsons being the best player in the NFL.
From the Packers’ perspective, this is exactly what fans should want to hear. Parsons doesn’t seem to be rushing back and the Packers have no reason to do that.
We’ll see if that changes, but it’s always good to get some positives for former Penn State stars. There are plenty in the NFL, but I think it’s rather clear that Parsons is the best of the best, maybe outside of Saquon Barkley.
He’ll now have an offseason to get better and be who he always is.