Packers reporter Rob Demovsky offered a positive update after observing Parsons working with the rehabilitation staff. The edge rusher has been increasing his activity, giving Green Bay a reason for optimism even though there is still no official timetable for his return.

“Micah Parsons also seems to be ramping up even more with some seemingly new work — or at least new that we’ve seen — with the rehab staff off to the side. Could he possibly return to practice next week?”

When will Micah Parsons return with Packers?

Micah Parsons is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in December 2025, an injury that has kept him off the field to begin the 2026 season. The Packers had hoped he could potentially return around mid-October, but head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed earlier this week that the defensive star would not be ready to practice before the Week 5 matchup against Chicago.

Another report from Packers reporter Matt Schneidman provided additional details about Parsons’ rehabilitation. Although media members were not permitted to film the workout, Schneidman observed the pass rusher performing demanding running drills while wearing what appeared to be a wrap or brace on his left knee.

“We’re not allowed to film, but Micah Parsons doing some fairly strenuous running on the side at practice with some sort of wrap/brace on his left knee. LaFleur said Parsons made progress last week but wasn’t ready to practice.”

The latest developments suggest Parsons is moving forward in his recovery, but increased activity does not necessarily mean he is close to returning to game action.

A possible return to practice next week remains a question rather than a confirmed plan, and the Packers will need to evaluate his readiness before making a decision. With the Dallas Cowboys coming up in Week 6, Green Bay will be hoping for further progress, although Parsons could still need several more weeks before he is ready to play.

Key takeaways

• Rob Demovsky reported Micah Parsons is ramping up work with the rehab staff.
• Micah Parsons is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in December 2025.
• Matt Schneidman observed Micah Parsons doing strenuous running with a left knee wrap.

Parsons suffered the injury during the Packers’ Week 15 matchup against the Denver Broncos in December 2025 and underwent surgery later that month. Although he was initially expected to have a chance to return relatively soon after the minimum four-game PUP period, Green Bay has remained cautious with its defensive star throughout the rehabilitation process.

That approach has now pushed his potential return further into the season. Parsons has not suffered a setback, but he has yet to be cleared to begin practicing, meaning he cannot play against Tampa Bay and may also miss several more games before finally making his 2026 debut.

When is Micah Parsons coming back after injury?

NFL insider Tom Pelissero provided a new update on Micah Parsons’ recovery that significantly changes the expectations surrounding his return. This week’s report makes clear that the Packers are not dealing with a new injury, but rather a rehabilitation process that is taking longer than initially hoped.

“Packers star Micah Parsons hasn’t had any setbacks in his rehab. But he’s not expected to practice next week, and it could be November before he’s ready for game action.”

The update means Parsons is unlikely to return for the Packers’ Week 5 matchup against the Chicago Bears, since he is not expected to practice next week. His potential return against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6 on October 18 is also becoming increasingly unlikely, particularly because he would need practice time before being cleared for game action.

If Pelissero’s projection holds, Parsons could potentially return in November, giving the Packers a much longer wait for one of the most important pieces of their defense. Green Bay has no reason to rush the star pass rusher back from a major knee injury, especially with the organization focused on having him healthy for the most important part of the season.

Key takeaways

• Micah Parsons won’t play for Packers vs Buccaneers.
• The defensive star suffered a serious knee injury during the 2025 season in a game against the Denver Broncos.
• Parsons is expected to return in November.

The Packers running back was placed on the exempt list after being charged with misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property stemming from a May incident. Jacobs later entered a no-contest plea to the misdemeanor charges, but that did not automatically end the NFL’s separate disciplinary process. The league continues to review the case under its Personal Conduct Policy.

While Jacobs remains on the exempt list, he cannot practice or play in games, although he continues to receive his salary. The NFL has not announced a suspension at this point, meaning there is still uncertainty over exactly when he will be allowed to return to the Packers. Green Bay has prepared for his absence by relying on its other running backs while the process continues.

When is Josh Jacobs coming back?

There is currently no definitive return date for Josh Jacobs because the NFL has not announced its final disciplinary decision. A suspension remains possible, and the league’s review could ultimately determine that Jacobs must miss additional games after the time he has already spent on the Commissioner’s Exempt List.

One important detail is that the games Jacobs misses while on the exempt list can count toward a potential suspension. That means the time he has already spent away from the Packers would not necessarily be added on top of the eventual punishment.

If the NFL determines that he should receive a suspension, the games he has already missed could effectively count as time served, although Jacobs would have to repay the salary he received during the period that counts toward the suspension.

The NFL has not announced how many games, if any, Jacobs will be suspended for. A six-game suspension has historically been the standard punishment for violations involving domestic violence under the league’s personal conduct policy, but the actual discipline can vary depending on the circumstances and the league’s investigation. For now, Jacobs remains unavailable against Tampa Bay, and his return will depend on when the NFL completes its review and makes a decision.

Key takeaways

• Josh Jacobs remains on the Exempt List while the NFL reviews his legal case.
• He was charged with misdemeanor battery and criminal damage following a May incident.
• Standard discipline under the policy historically carries a six-game suspension.

NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported Saturday that Parsons has avoided setbacks during his rehabilitation from the torn ACL he suffered late last season. However, the four-time Pro Bowler is not expected to return to practice next week and could remain sidelined until November.

“Packers star Micah Parsons hasn’t had any setbacks in his rehab. But he’s not expected to practice next week, and it could be November before he’s ready for game action,” Pelissero wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Parsons’ current recovery situation

The timeline would keep Parsons out considerably longer than the Packers initially hoped. Green Bay placed him on the physically unable to perform list to begin the season, automatically ruling him out for the first four games. Earlier in the offseason, Week 6 had emerged as a potential target for his return.

The Packers were rolling at 9-3-1 entering the game where Parsons got injured, then went 0-4 to close the 2025 regular season and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Chicago Bears.

The 2026 Packers certainly could use a healthy Parsons. Green Bay is 1-2 and sitting last in the NFC North. The Jordan Love-led offense has scored just 56 points, and opponents have scored 91 points, for an NFC-worst differential of minus 35 points.

The team has yet to open the 21-day practice window for Parsons, a five-time NFL Pro Bowl selection who signed a four-year, $186 million extension with Green Bay after being acquired in an August 2025 trade with the Dallas Cowboys.

Potential games Parsons could miss

Should he return in November, the Packers have games at the New England Patriots (Nov. 8), at home against the Minnesota Vikings (Nov. 15), and at the Los Angeles Rams for a Thanksgiving Eve game (Nov. 25).

Key takeaways

• Micah Parsons could remain sidelined until November during his ACL rehab.
• Week 6 was previously targeted as a potential timeline for his return.
• A four-year, $186 million extension was signed after an August 2025 trade.

Pearce Jr. is out for the game against the Packers on Thursday night as he is still serving an NFL-imposed suspension to start off the campaign. Pearce Jr. must serve an eight-game suspension after he violated the league’s personal conduct policy. During the offseason, the former first-round pick out of the University of Tennessee was arrested on domestic violence charges in February.

“Pearce was facing felony charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing police and resisting arrest, as well as misdemeanor stalking. But, in May, Pearce entered into a pretrial intervention program,” as reported by ESPN. “If he stays out of legal trouble for one year, passes random drug tests and stays away from [ex-girlfriend and WNBA player] Rickea Jackson, the charges will be dropped.“

When could Pearce Jr. play again?

Although Pearce Jr. was allowed to play in preseason games and attend team activities, his eight-game suspension came into effect on Aug. 30. Pearce Jr. isn’t eligible to be reinstated until after Atlanta’s Week 8 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.

Nov. 2 is the first day Pearce Jr. may be back with the Falcons, and he could be activated for Week 9 (Nov. 8) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain.

Falcons’ crowded injury room

To make matters worse for Stefanski and the Falcons in Wisconsin, Pearce Jr. won’t be the only absentee among the team’s pass rushers. Samson Ebukam has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, meaning Jared Ivey will have to fill in on the edge.

The Falcons currently have eight defensive players sidelined with injuries or suspensions: James Pearce Jr., Da’Shawn Hand, Anterio Thompson, Jalon Walker, Samson Ebukam, JD Bertrand, A.J. Terrell Jr., and Robert Longerbeam.

Coming into the game, sophomore cornerback Billy Bowman was questionable with an Achilles injury. However, he’s been declared active, giving Stefanski and Atlanta at least one positive note heading into the primetime standoff in Green Bay.

Key takeaways

• James Pearce Jr. is currently serving an eight-game league suspension for personal conduct.
• The edge rusher led Atlanta last season with 10.5 sacks during his rookie year.
• He becomes eligible for reinstatement starting on Nov. 2 ahead of Week 9.

Jacobs was placed on the list on August 30 after being charged with misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property stemming from a May incident involving his then-girlfriend. The move is an administrative measure while the NFL conducts its own review and is not itself a final disciplinary decision.

Jacobs’ criminal case moved forward earlier this month when he pleaded no contest to the battery and criminal damage charges. He was found guilty of misdemeanor battery and received a $1,000 fine plus costs, while the criminal-damage charge was resolved through a deferred judgment agreement. The NFL’s investigation, however, remains ongoing.

Who is starting running back for Packers vs Falcons?

With Josh Jacobs unavailable, MarShawn Lloyd is expected to receive the largest workload at running back for Green Bay against Atlanta. Lloyd entered the season as one of the players expected to take on a bigger role in Jacobs’ absence, although the Packers have also used a rotation at the position through the first two weeks.

What’s Packers RB depth chart vs Falcons without Josh Jacobs?

Chris Brooks and Kaleb Johnson are behind Lloyd on the Packers’ running back depth chart and could also see meaningful opportunities Thursday night. Johnson was acquired from the Steelers before the season, giving Green Bay another option while Jacobs remains unavailable.

There is a potential suspension looming over Jacobs once the NFL completes its investigation. Under the league’s personal conduct policy, a domestic-violence suspension can carry a six-game baseline, although the final discipline can vary depending on the circumstances. Time spent on the Commissioner’s Exempt List can count toward a potential suspension, meaning the games Jacobs has already missed could become relevant to his eventual return timeline.

Parsons suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during the Packers’ Week 15 matchup against the Denver Broncos last season. He later revealed that his surgery also included a procedure on his meniscus, adding another element to what has been a lengthy rehabilitation process.

Green Bay has taken a cautious approach with Parsons rather than rushing him back for the start of the season. The Packers placed him on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, meaning he is required to miss at least the first four games of the regular season as he continues working toward a return.

When will Micah Parsons return to play with Packers?

Micah Parsons is expected to miss more than the minimum four games required by his reserve/PUP designation. He has been following a nine-month rehabilitation timeline after his ACL surgery, with the Packers taking a long-term approach to his recovery.

Multiple reports have pointed toward a return sometime in October. Parsons himself has described a mid-October return as realistic, while the Packers have emphasized the importance of completing his rehabilitation before putting him back on the field.

That could be a reasonable target for Parsons, although there is still no firm return date. A potential Week 6 matchup against his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, on October 18 has been mentioned as one possible point for his return, but Parsons will ultimately need to progress through his rehabilitation before that decision is made.

Coming off an oblique injury that ruled him out for the first two weeks of the season, Tagovailoa is back healthy. However, he didn’t get Stefanski’s nod, as the head coach is instead trusting Penix Jr. to be the team’s starting quarterback in what’s set to be a tough, primetime showdown on the road against the Packers.

It may come as a surprise to many given Tagovailoa was on top of the depth chart to start the season, but that was because Penix was out dealing with soreness from his knee surgery. Because of his back injury before the start of the regular season, Tagovailoa couldn’t make the most of his opportunity and didn’t play a single snap while Penix was sidelined.

Atlanta always considered Penix Jr. its QB1 and only brought Tagovailoa over from the Miami Dolphins to be a reliable backup option on a veteran-minimum, one-year contract.

Tagovailoa’s contract year in 2026

Make no mistake, there are far worse second-string quarterbacks to have than Tagovailoa, but his injury-prone and inconsistent resume raises question marks about him being a starting quarterback in the NFL.

Once the 2026 NFL season comes to an end, Tagovailoa will become an unrestricted free agent, though he will still make roughly $52.785 million (paid by the Dolphins) this year. That’s a lot of money for a backup quarterback… playing for another franchise.

In more ways than one, it makes sense why Stefanski is choosing Penix Jr. over Tagovailoa for the primetime road game at Lambeau Field. Throughout his entire career, though often exaggerated, Tagovailoa has struggled in such conditions, especially when playing up North and in the elements.

Tagovailoa’s track record against Packers

Against the Packers and at Lambeau, those are two things in particular Tua has struggled with. He’s only played Green Bay twice in his NFL career, registering two losses and completing 53 of 71 passes (74.6%) for 675 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions. On paper, those numbers may not look too bad combined, but separately, they were disastrous showings.

Tua played with the Dolphins at Lambeau on Thanksgiving 2024. Miami fell 30-17, and while the final score may not show it, it was an ugly night for Mike McDaniel’s offense.

Tagovailoa and company found themselves down 27-3 in the second half, and it was only late in the game that Tagovailoa connected for two touchdown passes and was able to camouflage what was an awful night in Green Bay. Atlanta has a different team than Miami did, but such outings may still linger in Stefanski’s head when choosing between Penix Jr. and Tagovailoa.

Key takeaways

• Head coach Kevin Stefanski named Michael Penix Jr. as Atlanta’s starting quarterback.
• Tua Tagovailoa missed the first two games of the season with an oblique injury.
• He will earn roughly $52.785 million this year paid by the Miami Dolphins.

The Falcons boast a No. 1 running back who really needs no introduction: Bijan Robinson. Entering a hostile environment, and even though Michael Penix Jr. will start for Atlanta, the visitors’ hopes may hinge on whether Robinson can make an impact early in the game and establish the ground game. With the talent out of Texas, it’s not so much about pounding the rock or physically imposing one’s will on the defense as it is about having him run unstoppably, breaking ankles left and right and exhausting defenders.

Although Bijan rarely gets tired, the Falcons have a backup option that might bamboozle a few fans and fantasy football owners: Brian Robinson Jr. While Bijan is the clear-cut RB1, Brian plays a big role, too. Trey Sermon would be the team’s third-string halfback, but he is currently on Injured Reserve (IR) with an ankle injury.

As for the Packers, their running back room has countless more question marks than that of the Falcons. Josh Jacobs is still not playing for Green Bay as he remains on the commissioner’s exempt list and awaits clarity on his suspension. Thus, the show is now being run by a three-man committee: MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks, and Kaleb Johnson.

Who is Packers’ starting RB?

Although neither has been able to truly run away with the starting job so far, and while Jacobs is away from the team, MarShawn Lloyd is considered the RB1 on the Packers’ depth chart. So far, the stats back up the depth chart, too.

Lloyd, a third-year product out of USC, leads Green Bay’s running backs in carries (19) through the first two weeks of the 2026 NFL season. Lloyd is also first in rushing yards with 57.

However, Lloyd actually has the lowest yards-per-carry average (3.0), behind Johnson (4.0) and Brooks (3.6). The Packers have yet to score a touchdown on the ground, which only underlines the struggles Matt LaFleur’s team has gone through without Jacobs.

According to Footballguys.com, Brooks actually leads Green Bay in snaps played (65), which shows his value in pass protection. Lloyd is second with 46 snaps, but considering he’s rushed on 19 of them (41.3%), it’s plain to see LaFleur rates him as the best rushing option of the bunch, if not a reliable blocker or pass catcher.

Key takeaways

• Bijan Robinson serves as Atlanta’s lead running back ahead of backup Brian Robinson Jr.
• Green Bay relies on a three-man committee with starter Josh Jacobs currently unavailable.
• MarShawn Lloyd leads Packers running backs with 19 carries for 57 yards through two games.

Though the Packers are 1-1 in the 2026 NFL campaign, they’ve barely had reasons to celebrate. The overtime win over the New York Jets was nothing to pop champagne bottles over, and perhaps Jayden Reed’s positive injury update after his scary exit was the only bright note of an otherwise grim, in every sense, afternoon in the Big Apple. As many questions as there are around Green Bay, there are no questions under center, where $220 million Jordan Love will be QB1.

As for the Falcons, they were one of the worst teams in the league with Cooper Rush under center, as both Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa were sidelined with injuries. Perhaps the tide will begin to turn in Week 3. Tagovailoa won’t be starting for the Falcons, but they trust they made the right call giving Penix Jr. the nod. With Penix Jr. back as starting quarterback, perhaps Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts can have fun playing football again.

The game won’t be entirely on the quarterbacks’ hands, though, as both Atlanta and Green Bay’s running back depth charts will vie to leave their mark.

Backup QBs for Week 3 between Packers and Falcons

Carrying such an injury-prone quarterback into the 2026 NFL season, head coach Kevin Stefanski and the Falcons must keep their heads on a swivel. In Week 3 at Lambeau, the Falcons will go from having virtually no quarterback to having both starting candidates back healthy.

Penix Jr. will get the starting nod, but Tagovailoa, coming off a back injury, will be the backup quarterback, ready to fill in if need be. Needless to say, playing a nighttime game in Wisconsin, even if it’s not that cold yet, isn’t exactly Tua’s bread and butter.

As for the Packers, Love will have a reliable veteran solution serving as his backup in case of an emergency in the form of Tyrod Taylor. The Cheeseheads are the eighth team Taylor has played for in the NFL.

Emergency quarterback

Kevin Stefanski and Matt LaFleur will employ different strategies when it comes to the third, emergency quarterback. While the Packers are rocking with a two-man QB room on the active roster, the Falcons actually have four active signal-callers.

On Thursday night, Stefanski had to decide who would be ruled inactive and who would serve as Atlanta’s third, emergency QB between Cooper Rush and Jack Strand. In the end, Stefanski didn’t steer away from the depth chart and named Rush the emergency quarterback.

As the emergency quarterback, Rush can only take the field if something happens to both Penix Jr. and Tagovailoa. Green Bay, with no third-stringer, will have to improvise should it lose Love and Taylor on the same night.

Key takeaways

• Michael Penix Jr. will make his season debut as starting quarterback for Atlanta.
• The Packers will start $220 million quarterback Jordan Love for their home opener.
• Veteran backup Tua Tagovailoa returns from a back injury to Atlanta’s bench.

The long-awaited return comes after Penix spent much of the past year recovering from a torn ACL suffered during the 2025 season. His rehabilitation kept him out of Atlanta’s plans to begin the 2026 campaign, but he is now ready to take over the offense.

The Falcons entered the season expecting Tua Tagovailoa to lead the team at quarterback. However, Tagovailoa also suffered an injury, forcing Atlanta to turn to Cooper Rush. The results have been difficult, with the Falcons opening the season 0-2 and now making a significant change under new head coach Kevin Stefanski.

Who will be starting quarterback for Falcons vs Packers?

Michael Penix Jr. has officially been named the Falcons’ starting quarterback for Thursday night’s game against the Packers. The decision marks an important moment for the former first-round pick after a long road back from his ACL injury.

For Atlanta fans, seeing Penix back under center has been one of the most anticipated developments of the young season. The Falcons are hoping his return can provide a spark to an offense that has struggled during the team’s 0-2 start.

The game is also an important moment for Stefanski, who is beginning his tenure as Atlanta’s head coach while trying to find the right direction for the offense. With Penix now officially back as the starter, the Falcons will have an opportunity to see what their young quarterback can do after completing his lengthy recovery and finally getting another chance to lead the team.