NFL Rule Change Boosts Parsons' Return for Packers

It's March 31st.

This is NFL News Today, AI-powered stories from around the league.

I'm Cory with the story.

The Green Bay Packers are playing it safe with all pro-Michael Parsons, as he recovers from

ACL surgery after tearing the ligament on December 14th.

General manager Brian Guterkoon says there's no set return date with the regular season

still five months out.

But the NFL just tweaked a key rule that could speed up Parsons' path back for the 2026

season.

Leads annual meetings, they changed the physically unable to perform list rules.

Now players starting on reserve slash PUP can kick off a 21-day practice window right

after the team's second regular season game, before they had to sit out at least four

games first.

This shift means a ton for guys like Parsons coming off major surgery.

Fans and the Packers see it as a boost since he could wrap up in week three and maybe

play in that first month.

Last year he suited up in week one for Green Bay even after missing training camp due to

a back issue from his Cowboys days.

Parsons likely skips camp and opens on PUP, missing just the first two games under the new

setup.

Meanwhile, the Packers have other key returners like Tide and Tucker Kraft, defensive tackle

Devante Wyatt and Wright Tackle Zack Tom, eyeing training, camp spots.

Overall, this rule tweaked gives Green Bay more flexibility to get their star defender

rolling early and stay competitive down the stretch.