By Matt Schneidman, Dianna Russini and Zach Powell
Green Bay Packers linebacker Micah Parsons is managing a facet joint sprain in his back and may need an epidural injection to play on Sunday, a league source said.
Before Parsons, 26, was traded from the Dallas Cowboys to Green Bay last week, the Cowboys prescribed him a five-day plan of prednisone, a corticosteroid used to reduce inflammation around irritated nerves and tissues in his back. Dallas also had Parsons on a physical therapy program, according to the source.
Parsons is beginning his fifth season after a blockbuster trade landed him with Green Bay after a contract standoff with the Cowboys. Last week, he signed a four-year extension with the Packers worth $188 million and $136 million guaranteed. His average annual salary of $47 million makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
The star linebacker is practicing this week to prepare for the season opener against the Detroit Lions.
Could Parsons miss Week 1 opener vs. Lions?
While Parsons may have a legitimate back injury, he has not indicated he’ll miss the Packers’ Week 1 matchup. Parsons was asked during his introductory news conference on Friday about his physical condition and expectations for the season opener.
“Physically, I’m great,” Parsons said. “I think I can contribute a lot. I’m going to team up with the doctors in creating a plan. We already talked about how we can ramp things up and get me into a flow where they feel comfortable and I feel comfortable. But my plan is to be here. They didn’t give up what they gave up for me to sit on the sidelines and make this big of a risk and change for me to do that, so I’m going to give them my all.”
Packers left tackle Rasheed Walker, Parsons’ college teammate, said after Monday’s practice that Parsons took some 11-on-11 reps but looked to be a limited participant.
“He said he was gonna be more full-go Wednesday and Thursday, so yeah, he gon’ have to come see me,” Walker said.
If Parsons is indeed a full participant on Wednesday, Thursday or even Friday, that’s a telling sign he’ll play in the season opener on Sunday. Maybe he won’t have a typical workload after not practicing all camp and nursing a back injury, but it would be a surprise if Parsons doesn’t suit up at all. — Matt Schneidman, Packers beat writer
(Photo: Tork Mason / USA TODAY NETWORK Wisconsin)
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