NFL Rule Change Boosts Parsons' Return for Packers

0:00It'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

1:01a 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.