The Cowboys Are Preparing To Play Without Micah Parsons
The Dallas Cowboys probably didn't feel too victorious following Thursday's win over the New York Giants.
Dallas snapped a two-game losing streak with a Week 4 triumph, but the defense suffered two massive losses when Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence left the game. While Lawrence is expected to miss multiple weeks with a foot injury, the Cowboys have hoped a high ankle sprain wouldn't cost Parsons too much time.
The Cowboys haven't officially ruled out Parsons for a Week 5 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but it sounds like they won't have the three-time Pro Bowler available. Per ESPN's Todd Archer, head coach Mike McCarthy said the team is "preparing to play without" Parsons.
Executive vice president Stephen Jones called Parsons "week to week" on Friday, but NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport called it "likely" the edge rusher misses the next two games. The Cowboys then have a Week 7 bye before facing the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night Football.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 10: Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up prior to a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Barring an improved outlook, Parsons will miss a game due to injury for the first time in his NFL career. The 2021 first-round pick sat out one game in his rookie season due to COVID protocols.
"It's just frustrating, for real," Parsons said, per team reporter Patrik Walker. "You put a lot of energy into getting ready and being there for the team, so being out, this hurts me because I'm letting people down. I'm just letting people down. I figured myself invincible for a while."
Before the injury, Parsons went three games without a sack for the first time since 2021. He has 14 tackles, 12 pressures, and six quarterback hits for a Cowboys defense that ranks 26th in points and yards allowed this season.
Although the Cowboys won't rush back the 25-year-old, Parsons wants to return as soon as possible.
"Probably makes sense to some [to sit] but when you are a real competitor, like I said, you only get 17 chances at this. And missing one of these opportunities to perform at the highest level bothers me," Parsons said. "I feel like I want to play on Sunday. I want to play. If I can play, I will play. To me, as long as I can run and move how I want to move, I want to play."
