The Green Bay Packers may not have Micah Parsons in top form for their season opener against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, but they should have some version of one of the game’s most disruptive pass rushers on the field.
Dan Graziano of ESPN reported on Thursday, September 4, that Parsons is almost certain to play for Green Bay in some form or fashion as the team begins the 2025 campaign at Lambeau Field against the two-time consecutive NFC North division champions.
Based on everything I’ve been told this week, I would be shocked if Parsons doesn’t play in some fashion for the Packers against the Lions on Sunday,” Graziano wrote. “It’s too soon for Parsons to know the entire defense, and he probably isn’t in football shape yet since he didn’t practice in training camp. But the Packers should be able to draw up a play package that maximizes Parsons’ impact as an edge rusher in key situations, then continue ramping him up during the early weeks of the season.
Micah Parsons Crucial to Covering Up Deficiencies in Packers’ Secondary
GettyGreen Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon.
Parsons is dealing with a joint sprain in his back, which could require an epidural for pain management in order for him to suit and play this weekend.
Having him on the field would be a huge boost to a Packers defense that will probably need consistent pressure off the edge to help a secondary that is thin in the cornerback room.
Keisean Nixon and Nate Hobbs are the team’s two starting outside corners, and both were below average in 2024 based on Pro Football Focus grades. Second-year safety Javon Bullard is the likely candidate to fill in as the slot cornerback when the Packers have nickel packages on the field.
Adding Parsons to the mix alongside Rashan Gary should allow Green Bay’s front seven to prove disruptive enough to cover up some of the deficiencies on the outside of the secondary by shortening the amount of time Nixon and Hobbs have to maintain coverage. The Packers also have one of the top safety groups in the NFL, which should help the pass defense function/succeed in a variety of coverage schemes.
Parsons has tallied 52.5 sacks, 63 tackles for loss and 112 QB hits in 63 games played across four seasons.
Packers Have Improved Roster on Offense, Defense During Offseason
GettyGreen Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden.
Green Bay enters the contest against the Lions as 1.5-point favorites at home, per ESPN BET, and a win would set the tone for the Packers to potentially upset Detroit as division winners in 2025.
While that seemed more of a long shot when the league year began in March, Green Bay’s moves since have unquestionably improved the talent on the roster: namely the trade for Parsons and the decision to select wide receiver Matthew Golden in the first round of the NFL draft.
Detroit, meanwhile, lost both of its coordinators to head coaching jobs elsewhere in the league and saw its offensive line take a step back in overall talent.
Packers Get Good News on Micah Parsons’ Injury Status vs. Lions