The Green Bay Packers acquired Micah Parsons in a blockbuster trade with the Dallas Cowboys in the week leading up to the 2025 NFL season.
While Parsons passed a physical with the Packers to complete the trade, the 26-year-old is dealing with a back ailment that could impact him early during the 2025 NFL season.
Parsons’ back malady was a known issue before the trade. The Cowboys edge rusher was held out of practice because of the injury, though some assumed it was a ploy to allow the disgruntled pass rusher to continue his hold-in away from the team.
Parsons’ injury was, in fact, real, and he figures to have to manage it throughout the 2025 NFL season as he looks to quickly establish himself as a star with the Packers.
Here’s what to know about Parsons’ injury and whether he will be able to see the field in Week 1.
Micah Parsons injury update
Parsons is dealing with an L4/L5 facet joint sprain in his back ahead of the 2025 NFL season, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
Facet joints are ‘are the links between the bones of the spine,’ according to Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The joint between the L4 and L5 vertabrae is located in the lower back, which is also known as the lumbar portion of the spine.
Injuries to facet joints can cause ‘pain and irritation,’ which is presumably what Parsons is dealing with ahead of the 2025 NFL season.
Parsons was in a physical therapy program at the end of his time with the Cowboys, according to Schefter. Dallas also ‘prescribed [Parsons] a five-day plan of an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid’ to help him recover from the injury.
It isn’t yet clear how exactly the Packers will treat Parsons’ injury, but Schefter reports the perennial Pro Bowler ‘may take an epidural injection prior to Sunday’s game vs. the Lions if needed to help him play.’
Will Micah Parsons play Week 1 vs. Detroit Lions?
Parsons is ‘trying to play’ in the Packers season-opener against the Lions on Sunday, Sept. 7, per Schefter.
Parsons has been practicing since being acquired from the Cowboys, but it remains ‘uncertain’ whether he will be able to get on the field in Week 1.
Micah Parsons injury history
Parsons has played in 63 of a possible 68 regular-season games during his NFL career to date. Below is a look at the absences he endured during his four years with the Cowboys.
- 2021: Parsons missed Dallas’ regular-season finale after being played on the reserve/COVID list. He returned to play in their 23-17 playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
- 2024: Parsons suffered a high-ankle sprain during the Cowboys’ Week 4 game against the New York Giants. He missed four games because of the injury.
Dallas posted a 2-3 record in its five games without Parsons from 2021-24.
Micah Parsons trade details
Below is a look at what the Packers sent to the Cowboys to acquire Parsons:
Packers get:
- EDGE Micah Parsons
Cowboys get:
- 2026 first-round pick
- 2027 first-round pick
- DL Kenny Clark