The Green Bay Packers took a big swing last week when they gave up two first rounders and nose tackle, Kenny Clark to bring in one of the best edge rushers in the NFL in Micah Parsons – whom they subsequently made the highest paid non-QB in league history with a four year, $188 million contract.
However, bad news arrived when it was revealed that Parsons was suffering from a back injury, one that has made his official status prior to the game “questionable“.
Parsons is expected to play on Sunday – but according to The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman, he will likely not play the entire game and will end up on a snap count – at least for week one.
“Nobody within the organization has definitively said Parsons is playing Sunday â heâs been limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday because of a back injury suffered this summer lifting while a Dallas Cowboy â but heâll likely be on a snap count.” Schneidman wrote on Friday.
Micah Parsons ‘Likely’ On A Snap Count In Week 1
This sentiment was also implied by Packers defensive coordinator, Jeff Hafley, who put an emphasis on Parsons’ limited time in the building and the team still figuring out exactly how to deploy him best.
“He hasnât even been here for a week.” Hafley said, via Schneidman. “I mean, in very limited reps, to see him out there in individual and some other periods, there hasnât been too much… But for now, itâs just kind of getting a glimpse ⦠and trying to figure out early what he can do best, what he can do right now and what gives our team the best chance to have success.â
On the plus side, Hafley equally noted that he has a lot of “drawings” of schemes and plays set up for the 26-year old, when he is back to full health and has a full grasp of the offense – right now he’s at around 80%.
How Will The Packers’ Defensive Line Shape Up
For the first week, Parsons is still listed as the starting defensive end opposite Pro Bowler, Rashan Gary. But it is likely that the former Cowboy will be part of a three-man rotation, alongside former first round pick, Lukas Van Ness, who has shown good signs of third-year development in training camp this past summer.
If the three-time All Pro’s snap count gets substantially limited, that may open the door further for fourth choice option, JJ Enagbare, who has been a reliably solid option for Green Bay over the course of his three-season stint with the organization, to get more opportunities on the field – although there is a good chance he could see a reasonable amount of snaps on defense, even with a fully-fit Parsons.
The bigger question may end up being at defensive tackle, with the departure of Clark leaving a rather big hole in the middle of the line alongside Devonte Wyatt; one that will likely be taken up by a combination of Karl Brooks, Colby Wooden and rookie undrafted free agent, Nazir Stackhouse.
Hafley could also decide to deploy Gary and/or Van Ness in that spot – especially on presumed passing downs, to compensate for the Packers’ superior strength and depth on the exterior.
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