One could only feel envious of Green Bay Packers fans when the news broke. For the first time in what feels like decades, the organization made a blockbuster trade. They acquired superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys for two 1st round picks and former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark. It was like the Khalil Mack trade for Chicago Bears fans back in 2018. The potential fallout from a franchise standpoint is clear. If Parsons plays up to his typical ability, that defense got significantly better.
However, a small undercurrent went almost unmentioned in the euphoria. Parsons was asked about a supposed back injury he was dealing with. The edge rusher dismissed it, stating he felt good. Days later, reports surfaced that the issue was more serious than he let on. It seems Parson suffered damage to the facet joint of his spinal column between the L4 and L5 discs in his lower back. The situation is significant enough that he will need an epidural to reduce the pain. Not only that, but apparently it isn’t something that will go away. He’ll have to manage it during the season.
Micah Parsons should still be a force, but this development isn’t nothing.
Anybody who follows football knows that back injuries of any type are a big red flag. That goes especially for defensive linemen who often put so much torque and stress on it every play. Micah Parsons is famous for his ability to bend and use leverage to his advantage. Having a lower back problem is pretty significant for him—lots of players often never fully escape such issues once they start surfacing. Tony Romo and Matthew Stafford are quarterbacks, and they didn’t. Former Bears 1st round pick came into the league with back issues and saw them resurface multiple times in his career. Parsons will be a major problem moving forward, but it’s fair to question what this development may do to his body clock. His prime window might not be as wide as Green Bay fans hoped.
