Is Micah Parsons playing tonight? Latest updates for Cowboys DE

The Dallas Cowboys received more devastating injury news this week as second-year tight end John Stephens Jr. suffered a torn ACL during practice on Wednesday. Equally notable, however, is that Micah Parsons hasn't practiced all week as he looks to return from an upper ankle sprain.

Parsons was listed as DNP on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Head coach Mike McCarthy said earlier this week that Parsons had not crossed the threshold to return to play. Essentially, Parsons had to do some practice (with or without pads) by Saturday in order to play against the San Francisco 49ers.

Well, the verdict is in, Cowboys fans. Parsons has not yet reached the threshold to return to play and therefore will NOT make his long-awaited return on Sunday night.

The Week 8 game against the 49ers was circled as Parsons' likely return date when he was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain four weeks ago. He missed games against the Steelers and Lions – the first games he missed in his career due to injury – and then got an extra week of rest during the bye week.

ESPN insider Adam Schefter had this to say about Parsons after he missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday:

“Once again, Cowboys DE Micah Parsons did not practice on Thursday due to his ankle injury, making it unlikely that he will be able to recover in time for Sunday night's game against the 49ers,” Schefter posted on X.

Parsons worked to get around the suspension to return for this game. He remained at the Cowboys' facility during the bye to continue his rehab. However, given the persistent and variable nature of ankle sprains, it's no big surprise that they don't heal completely.

While Parsons did not suffer a severe high ankle sprain, even those from the Garden generally require a recovery time of four to six weeks. Parsons is in the fourth week of this schedule, so his return appears not to be far away.

As much as the Cowboys need him out there — their pass rush has disappeared since his injury — they need a fully functional Parsons. While Parsons is better than most pass rushers at less than 100%, ultimately the most important thing is that he stays healthy for the rest of the season.

Another week off should be enough, but the Cowboys will have a hard time defeating the 49ers without their superstar.

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