Cowboys' Micah Parsons: Versatility to be emphasized
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Parsons says he's more interested in making impact plays all over the field than he is in winning the sack title in 2023, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
"Just playing chess, just being able to move around, that's the special ability that I have, that I want to incorporate," Parsons said Thursday. "We're doing a lot of special things. I don't want to give a lot away right now, but it's going to be a really cool year. I'm probably going to play like eight positions this year." The 24-year-old played just over 80 percent of his snaps in 2022 along the line of scrimmage, nearly double the 41.9 percent mark he recorded as a rookie, but defensive coordinator Dan Quinn might be gearing up to deploy the uber-athletic Parsons all over the formation this season. He should still get plenty of sacks after racking up 26.5 in his first 33 career regular-season games, but he also might see his tackle total rise from the 65 he picked up last year, and nabbing his first career interception could also be on the table.
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Cowboys' Micah Parsons: Up to 251 pounds
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Parsons said Tuesday that he currently checks in at 251 pounds, having added weight in anticipation of taking more snaps at defensive end in 2023, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
Parsons was 246 pounds at the 2021 NFL Combine -- where he ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash -- and was listed at 245 last season. He instantly became one of the best defenders in the league and has never missed a game because of an injury, but he said nagging health concerns last season prevented him from being at his best. Parsons nonetheless tallied 65 tackles, 13.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries en route to earning All-Pro honors for a second time in two years. He believes the added weight in combination with taking more snaps at defensive end can help him stay healthier, though the move away from off-ball-linebacker snaps already mostly happened in his second season. Per Pro Football Focus, Parsons took 693 snaps on the line of scrimmage in 2022, more than four times his number as an off-ball linebacker (170). As a rookie, he took only 390 on the line and 540 as a linebacker.
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Cowboys' Micah Parsons: Half sack against Commanders
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Parsons recorded two tackles including half a sack in Sunday's loss to Washington.
The second-year defensive star saw his prolific sack pace slow down over the final six games of the regular season due to various injuries, but Parsons still finished the year with 13.5 sacks, a new career high. His ability to rebound could be one of the keys to a Cowboys victory in the wild-card round against the Buccaneers, after Parsons sacked Tom Brady twice back in Week 1 during their first meeting this season.
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Cowboys' Micah Parsons: Cleared for action
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Parsons (hand) is active for Thursday's game against the Titans, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Parsons was added to the injury report Tuesday, though he managed a pair of limited sessions ahead of Thursday's matchup. That'll be enough for him to suit up and likely serve in a significant role against Tennessee. Parsons has managed five sacks across his last six games and will look to get plenty of pressure on Joshua Dobbs, who'll start for the Titans in place of Malik Willis.
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Cowboys' Micah Parsons: Questionable for Thursday night
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Parsons (hand) is listed as questionable for Thursday's matchup with the Titans, Jane Slater of NFL Network reports.
Parsons landed on the injury report Tuesday as a limited participant due to a hand injury and remained limited during Wednesday's session, ultimately taking a designation into the Week 17 game as a result. Leighton Vander Esch (neck) has already been ruled out, so if Parsons is also sidelined, the Cowboys will be without two of their starting linebackers for Thursday's primetime matchup.
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Cowboys' Micah Parsons: Dealing with hand injury
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Parsons was limited in practice Tuesday due to a left hand issue, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
Parsons overcame an illness to play in Week 16 against the Eagles, but he's now dealing with a left hand injury. The linebacker had the hand taped up Tuesday while speaking with reporters, though he expressed confidence that he'll be able to suit up Thursday versus Tennessee. "It's football. It's the reality of it," he said. "Play a physical sport. That's all. I'm good though."
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Cowboys' Micah Parsons: Trending toward playing Saturday
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Parsons (illness), who is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Eagles, is expected to play, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
While battling an illness this week, Parsons failed to practice Tuesday and Wednesday, but he got back on the field Thursday as a limited participant. With another 48 hours having passed since that final practice of the week, Parsons is presumably feeling healthier and trending in the right direction as the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff approaches. If he's active as anticipated, the star defender shouldn't face any major restrictions with his snap count.
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Cowboys' Micah Parsons: Status in question for Week 16
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Parsons (illness) is listed as questionable for Saturday's contest against the Eagles, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
Parsons was away from the Cowboys both Tuesday and Wednesday due to an illness. With his return to team facilities Thursday, he was expected to take on a "full workload," according to coach Mike McCarthy. Instead, Parsons went down as limited, and now his status for Week 16 won't be confirmed until about 90 minutes before Saturday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. If he's active, Parsons won't be getting after the Eagles' typical starting quarterback Jalen Hurts (shoulder), meaning the pass rusher's main priority will be containing backup Gardner Minshew.
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Cowboys' Micah Parsons: Racks up 13th sack
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Parsons recorded two tackles including a sack in Sunday's overtime loss to the Jaguars.
Offenses have committed extra resources to preventing Parsons from wrecking plays, and the sack was his first in three games. The second-year linebacker is still up to 13 sacks on the season, tying his rookie total in two fewer games, and he's currently fourth in the NFL in that category behind Nick Bosa (15.5), Matthew Judon (14.5) and Myles Garrett (13.5).
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Cowboys' Micah Parsons: On track to play Thursday
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Parsons (knee) is expected to play Thursday against the Giants, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Parsons was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice report before being listed as limited Tuesday and Wednesday. However, the Cowboys maintained hope throughout the week that the linebacker would be able to play through his injury against the Giants, and it appears as though he'll be available for the team's Thanksgiving Day matchup.
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Cowboys' Micah Parsons: Officially questionable
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Parsons (knee) is listed as questionable for Thursday's matchup against the Giants, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
Parsons logged two straight limited sessions after not practicing Monday on account of the left knee injury. The star defender suffered the injury during the Cowboys' blowout win over Minnesota, but he returned to the contest after a brief exit. Parsons didn't require an MRI on the injured knee, and after managing limited practice activity, the expectation is that he'll suit up Thanksgiving Day, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic.
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Cowboys' Micah Parsons: Picks up knee injury Sunday
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Parsons departed Sunday's game at Minnesota due to a knee injury, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Parsons appeared to have his left leg rolled up on late in the third quarter, which caused him to grasp at his left knee before limping off the field. After a visit to the sideline tent, he rejoined his defensive teammates on the bench, but the Cowboys deemed him questionable to return. Considering they were leading 37-3 at the time he left the contest, Parsons likely will end Week 11 with four tackles, including two sacks.
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Cowboys' Micah Parsons: Scoop and score vs. Bears
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Parsons notched four tackles (two solo) and one fumble recovery that he returned for a touchdown during Sunday's 49-29 win over the Bears.
Parsons' impact can't be captured by the stat sheet alone, as his scoop and score was the product of chasing quarterback Justin Fields out of the pocket, then pursuing running back David Montgomery who caught a bail-out pass that was knocked out of his hands by Leighton Vander Esch. Even on a day that didn't see Parsons build on his sack total (eight through as many contests), the second-year sensation couldn't fail to make an impact. After the Cowboys' bye Week 9, Parsons will get a chance to take on Aaron Rodgers and the struggling Packers offense.
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Cowboys' Micah Parsons: Cleared to play Sunday
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Parsons (shoulder) is active for Sunday's game against the Bears, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Parsons was a limited participant in the Cowboys' final two Week 8 practices due to the shoulder issue, but despite being listed as questionable for Sunday's game, he never seemed to be at major risk of sitting out. The talented second-year linebacker heads into Sunday ranked second in the NFL in sacks (eight), just a half-sack behind the Patriots' Matt Judon for the league lead.
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Cowboys' Micah Parsons: Officially questionable for Week 8
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Parsons (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Bears, Patrik Walker of the Cowboys' official site reports.
Parsons landed on the injury report Thursday with a shoulder issue and logged back-to-back limited sessions to end Week 8 prep. The extent of the injury remains unclear, but it's certainly a concerning development for the Defensive Player of the Year candidate, who played a season-low 66 percent of the Cowboys' defensive snaps Week 7. Parsons' official availability likely won't be known until closer to Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff, but if he's available in any capacity, he'll likely be a must-start option in most IDP leagues.
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Cowboys' Micah Parsons: Sees limited work Thursday
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Parsons (shoulder) was listed as a limited participant in Thursday's practice.
Parsons popped up on the Cowboys' injury report Thursday with a shoulder injury that he presumably picked up during Sunday's win over the Lions. The second-year pro will have one more shot to practice fully on Friday, but fellow linebackers Luke Gifford and Jabril Cox could see added snaps behind usual starters Anthony Barr and Leighton Vander Esch if Parsons is eventually ruled out this weekend against Chicago.
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Cowboys' Micah Parsons: Season-high seven tackles
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Parsons recorded seven tackles (three solo), including one for loss, and two pass defenses during Sunday's 26-17 loss to the Eagles.
Parsons dealt with a groin issue ahead of Sunday's matchup but suited up and played 94 percent of the team's defensive snaps. The superstar pass rusher recorded a season-high seven tackles and notched his first two pass defenses of the season, showcasing his elite versatility. However, he was flagged for an unsportsmanlike penalty following his second pass deflection, which extended Philadelphia's drive. Regardless, Parsons remains one of the most dynamic and prolific defensive players in the league and has solidified himself as a top IDP option.
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Cowboys' Micah Parsons: No injury designation for Week 6
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Parsons (groin) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's matchup against the Eagles, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Parsons didn't practice Wednesday due to a groin issue but progressed to being a limited participant Thursday before logging a full session Friday. The Cowboys appeared to be simply monitoring Parsons, who had to briefly leave the team's Week 5 win due to the groin issue, but he never really appeared in danger of missing the divisional matchup against Philadelphia. Parsons is tied for the league lead in sacks with six through the first five weeks of the season and will look to continue his strong play against one of the premier teams in the NFL.
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Cowboys' Micah Parsons: Returns to game
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Parsons (groin) has returned to Sunday's game against the Rams, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
Parsons headed to the locker room with a groin issue early in the third quarter Sunday, but he returned to the field shortly after. Given his quick return, it doesn't seem as though his injury is a significant concern.
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Cowboys' Micah Parsons: Will play Monday
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Parsons (illness) is active Monday against the Giants.
Parsons was able log a limited practice Saturday after sitting out Thursday and Friday. The superstar linebacker once again has been a force to kick off the 2022 campaign, notching four sacks in the first two weeks. His availability is a major boon to the Cowboys defense, as Parsons will look to continue making an impact Week 3.
