The Green Bay Packers are targeting a Thanksgiving Eve return for star pass rusher Micah Parsons against the Los Angeles Rams, according to NFL Network. Parsons has not played since Week 15 of last season when he tore his ACL and meniscus against the Denver Broncos.
The All-Pro edge rusher is slated to return to practice this coming week and participate in individual drills ahead of Week 9. If progress continues, he would advance to team drills ahead of Week 10. The Packers have a Week 11 bye before facing the Rams on Wednesday, November 25. A return at that point would mark nearly a year since the original injury and nearly 11 months since surgery, which included an ACL reconstruction and full meniscus repair.
Parsons, who arrived from the Dallas Cowboys via a blockbuster trade last year, recorded 12.5 sacks in 14 games despite joining the team days before the season opener. Green Bay's defense ranked fifth in yards per play allowed through 15 weeks last season but dropped to 26th from Week 16 onward after Parsons' injury. The season ended with a wild-card loss to the Chicago Bears.
Early this season, the Packers' defense struggled without Parsons, but the unit has improved significantly under defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. Since Week 4, Green Bay ranks third in yards per play allowed and leads the NFL with 13 forced turnovers. The Packers beat the Carolina Panthers 27-19 this week to move to 5-3, though they remain last in the NFC North. SportsLine gives Green Bay a 61% chance to make the postseason.
