Everyone associated with the Washington Commanders had a beaming smile when the Dallas Cowboys inexplicably traded All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. They won't have to face him twice a season anymore, but he did come into the team's immediate crosshairs once the move became official.
There might be some doubt about that now, too.
Most people thought Parsons' supposed back injury was an excuse not to practice while his contract standoff with the Cowboys continued. That couldn't be resolved, and he was traded. However, the complication was real.
Micah Parsons could make Packers debut against Commanders amid fresh uncertainty
Parsons is currently practicing with his new teammates, trying to get back up to speed after missing so much football in recent months. But a new update from Adam Schefter of ESPN placed his status firmly in doubt.
Schefter revealed that Parsons' back sprain is legitimate. He's considering getting pain-killing injections to improve his chances of participation. But a source with close knowledge of the situation stated this could go either way for Week 1.
"Packers LB Micah Parsons has been dealing with an L4/L5 facet joint sprain in his back and he may take an epidural injection prior to Sunday’s game vs. the Lions if needed to help him play, per sources. Before trading Parsons last week, the Cowboys prescribed him a five-day plan of an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid, a prednisone to help him recover from back tightness. They also had him on a physical therapy program. Parsons has been practicing this week and he is trying to play in Sunday’s opener vs. the Lions, though one source said it still is uncertain if he will."Adam Schefter
If the Packers decide not to risk Parsons for their regular-season opener against the Detroit Lions, that means the Penn State product could potentially make his Green Bay debut versus the Commanders with the prime-time spotlight glaring on Thursday Night Football. And given how he's tormented Washington over the years, this isn't going to improve the chances of achieving another stunning win on the road.
Facing Parsons isn't too far away, but it's not the Commanders' immediate concern. They have the New York Giants to overcome first, who boast a dominant defensive front capable of wreaking havoc on anybody. That will be a stern test for Washington's revamped protection, especially considering they are missing prolific right guard Sam Cosmi for the first four games and possibly more.
Parsons will be next on the agenda after that. If he does end up missing Week 1, he'll be even more determined to show out at Lambeau Field and give his old mentor a big-time headache early in the season.
Until something gets confirmed, it's a wait-and-see scenario. And the Commanders will prepare for every eventuality on a short week.