Packers injured star fighting through tough days, looking forward to better ones

Mike Spofford

GREEN BAY Five months down, four to go.

That's the gist of theMicah Parsonsrehab update, as the Packers' star edge rusher last week passed the five-month mark from his knee surgery date of Dec. 29.

He said Wednesday he's "extremely happy" with how the process is going, as tough as it's been at times. He's also adhering to the medical staff's nine-month rule of no football following a reconstructive ACL surgery that in his case also included a meniscus cleanup.

That timeline would have him, potentially, returning to the practice field in late September and game action shortly thereafter. So the expectation remains he'll miss a handful of games if he starts the season on the physically unable to perform list (PUP), the minimum is four which is what he said back in January when he last spoke with the media.

"The goal has always just been not right now but longevity with my career here, and I think they want that approach," he said.

"The goal for me is to complete the season not no relapse and playoffs and pushing towards a championship. The goal isn't for me to go out there and re-hurt myself trying to force myself to get back the first few games. The goal has always been playoffs, and I think we're all on the same page."

Parsons earned his fourth career All-Pro selection last year, and led the Packers with 12 sacks, despite missing the last three-plus games of the regular season following his injury.

Green Bay didn't win a game without him and bowed out in the opening round of the playoffs, which admittedly weighed on him with the team 9-3-1 when he hurt his knee in the second half at Denver in Week 15.

He's never dealt with an injury of this magnitude and while he's trying to convince himself to enjoy "rebuilding" himself, there have been plenty of difficult days he's had to push through knowing how much work still lies ahead.

"I would definitely say it is hard for me to accept," he said. "Not only is it hard to accept that I'mma miss more time than what I want, but obviously hard to accept the injury. It constantly replays in my brain.

"I haven't accepted it yet, but I work hard as hell every day trying to make sure that I will be better when it comes out of this."

On top of the rehab, Parsons also has been learning new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon's system, which he does mostly visually. He's not in the offseason morning meetings, because that's when he's with the medical staff, but then he goes out to watch practice with defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington.

"He spits out the calls and tells me where I would be at and, obviously, what job does what," Parsons said. "I'm getting more of a walk-through look versus meetings."

Another piece that keeps him going is the camaraderie he shares with his fellow defensive linemen, and he expressed confidence they'll hold up their end until he gets back.

He spent time in the offseason working out withBarryn SorrellandCollin Oliver, he continues to speak highly ofDevonte Wyatt,Karl BrooksandLukas Van Ness, and he's fired up about the additions ofJavon Hargraveand linebackerZaire Franklinto the defense, as well as another Penn State edge rusher in rookie draft pickDani Dennis-Sutton.

His return to the field, whenever exactly that might be, promises to be a celebration of sorts.

"We've talked about all of us being back together on the field again and that's like the beauty part, finally getting through those dark tunnel stages and being back on the field," he said. "They're all talking about throwing up the (number) 1 and how we're all gonna do it together and that emotional moment.

"So that's like the magic. That's what I look at when I'm working out, like how can I get back with my friends and my brothers and just all that. So there is that beautiful side of that."