Micah Parsons is uncertain if his first injury absence in the NFL will end during a crucial game for the Dallas Cowboys against the San Francisco 49ers.
If Parsons is on the sidelines Sunday night in California due to his high ankle sprain, it will mean he has missed three games.
“It’s been a challenging time for me,” Parsons said Monday as the Cowboys (3-3) returned from their bye week. “It’s been a lot of time for me to reflect on myself and how I can get better and what things I can do to help this team get better. I’m using this time away. I just can’t wait to get back out there.”
Parsons missed the game against Pittsburgh, which the Cowboys won 20-17, and a 47-9 loss to Detroit, marking the third straight home defeat where the Dallas defense struggled. Including a wild-card loss to Green Bay last January, that makes four consecutive losses.
The upcoming game against the 49ers (3-4) will be a month and a day since Parsons got hurt in the second half of a 20-15 win against the New York Giants. Before this, he had only missed a game due to COVID-19 in his rookie year.
The 2021 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year participated in the first two home games this season, along with the surprising 48-32 loss to the Packers that ended Dallas’ 2023 season.
There’s a lot for Parsons and the defense to improve against the injury-plagued 49ers. They might also receive some additional help.
Linebacker Eric Kendricks could return after sitting out a game due to calf and shoulder injuries.
Cornerback DaRon Bland, who set an NFL record last season with five interception returns for touchdowns, might make his season debut after surgery for a stress fracture in his foot. Bland’s two-week practice window from injured reserve was activated before the Detroit game.
The Cowboys are struggling in defense, ranking in the bottom third of the NFL for both overall and rushing defense, and are 31st in scoring defense. Takeaways, which have been a key part of their game for the last three seasons, are almost nonexistent this year with only five in six games.
“Just how I can make others around me better,” Parsons said when asked what he had been reflecting on during his time away. “I think about watching the film … things that I could do to set up others to win better and things like that. It’s a good thing these guys are getting the experience they can right now.”
Parsons mentioned that the athletic training staff and coaches will play a big role in deciding if he will play. The Cowboys didn’t place him on injured reserve, which suggests they think he might be ready to return for the game against the 49ers.
“My hopes are always very high,” Parsons said. “I love great challenges. I love being able to beat the odds. As I said, I’m going to put this up to my trainers and my coaching staff.” Coach Mike McCarthy said that Parsons was one of several players receiving treatment during the bye week.
“I’m always appreciative and impressed with that,” McCarthy said. “You couldn’t tell it was an off week, really, just based on the number of guys I’ve seen in the building rolling through here throughout the week. Micah is making progress.”
There are also injury concerns this week regarding two rookies: left tackle Tyler Guyton (knee) and cornerback Caelen Carson (shoulder). Guyton was available but did not play against the Lions, while Carson has missed three games.
