Micah Parsons won't practice, Josh Jacobs back for Packers

Parsons is eligible to come off the PUP list this week. The Packers aren't using that window yet, and LaFleur said so Monday.

Matt Schneidman

@mattschneidman

Micah Parsons will not practice this week, Matt LaFleur says.

That's a gut punch for anyone in Green Bay who had this week circled. Parsons opened the 2026 season on the physically unable to perform list while rehabbing the torn ACL. Over the summer he called Week 6 his "most optimistic" return date. Week 6 has come and gone, and he still isn't on the practice field.

The calendar makes it harder. The Packers go to Detroit on Sunday and then turn right around for a Thursday night home game against Carolina. LaFleur didn't rule out Parsons for that one, but he was clear that there are still steps to get through before Parsons even practices.

Matt Schneidman

@mattschneidman

Packers play on Thursday next week against the Panthers. LaFleur said there are things Parsons could do on a short week to ramp up if he’s activated, but LaFleur said he still has to clear hurdles to return to practice.

Reading between the lines: the earliest realistic path is getting activated during Panthers week and doing short-week ramp-up work. Short-week practices usually aren't full speed, which actually helps a guy coming off a knee. But "still has to clear hurdles" isn't how a coach talks when a return is right around the corner. If you're betting on Parsons playing Thursday, you're betting against what LaFleur actually said.

There's better news on offense. Jacobs is officially back after 6 weeks on the commissioner's exempt list. He was placed there under the personal conduct policy after a domestic incident in which he pleaded no contest to 2 misdemeanor charges. LaFleur says he's in good shape and will get a full week of practice. Whether he plays Sunday is another question.

Matt Schneidman

@mattschneidman

LaFleur said it’s TBD whether Jacobs can play without being fully ramped up. Noted that he’s missed real football action. Might be a limited workload if he plays Sunday.

LaFleur called Jacobs an "elite-level back" who can "provide a spark," and he's been training and sitting in meetings this whole time. Training isn't the same as getting hit, though, and the Packers seem to know it. Best guess: if Jacobs suits up in Detroit, it's a capped role and not a 25-carry return.

So here's the week: Jacobs practices starting Wednesday and his Lions status gets decided late. Parsons stays off the field, and the real test is whether he's cleared to practice once Carolina week starts. Green Bay can get one of its stars back right away. The other one is still out for now.