What happened: Packers star Micah Parsons said he will begin the 2026 season on the physically unable to perform list as he recovers from a torn ACL and a torn meniscus. He pointed to mid-October as a target to get back on the field, framing the cautious approach as protecting a long career with no shortcuts.
Why it matters: The timeline keeps Green Bay's premier pass rusher off the field for the opening stretch of the season. Parsons, who recently detailed the meniscus procedure, is adhering to a strict nine-month recovery rule, leaving the Packers' reshaped defense to start the year without him.
By the numbers: Parsons is roughly five months into his ACL rehabilitation with about four months remaining under a strict nine-month protocol. He has also been learning Green Bay's new defensive scheme while continuing to rehab.
What to watch: Watch for the Packers to formalize the PUP designation when training camp opens and for updates on whether the mid-October target holds.