FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys defense hasn’t been the same without three-time All-Pro running back Micah Parsons. That’s obvious even without looking at the numbers. Fortunately for Dallas, Parsons will return to the lineup Sunday against the 6-2 Philadelphia Eagles after missing the last four games due to a sprained ankle, ESPN reports.
Parsons confirmed this week that he was full speed ahead in everything he did in practice leading up to Week 10.
“You know my chance [to play this week] is high, but we’re just trying to see how the week of practice goes, see where the challenges are, see what steps we need to take to see how we want to play this game,” Parsons said Wednesday. “I just have to get the feel of the game. [pass] run. I feel like I’m starting over. My lungs hurt out there. [at practice]. It’s basically like I’m starting my season all over again, so it’s going to be an interesting week.
Dallas’ defense established an elite reputation based on findings from 2021 to 2023 under former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who is now the head coach of the Washington Commanders. During the Cowboys’ three consecutive 12-win years from 2021 to 2023, they led the NFL in takeaways (93), interceptions (59) and quarterback pressure rate (41.4%). Those numbers have plummeted in 2024 without Parsons and 2023 NFL interceptions leader and Dallas cornerback DaRon Bland, who has been out since the end of training camp with a stress fracture in his foot.
The Cowboys have allowed nine touchdown passes and have not forced an interception since Parsons, the 2023 pass rush leader, went down in Week 4. Dallas’ five takebacks in 2024 are tied for the fourth-fewest in the NFL, while the defense is slightly below average (17th in the league) in quarterback pressure rate (34.4%). Being able to rush an opposing quarterback a few more seconds could have made the difference in each of the Cowboys’ 3-5 losses since the bye in Week 7: a 30-24 road loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 8 and a 27-21 road loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9.
“I obviously felt like it’s tough just because I feel like I can make an impact in those games,” Parsons said when talking about being on the sidelines, especially the last two weeks. “Juice [Falcons quarterback] Kirk Cousins previously had a lot of success. 49ers, tough watch. I think there are games where we lose by six points and I definitely think I can make a difference in those games. Six point game, [are] Are you telling me and D-Law? [four-time Pro Bowl DE DeMarcus Lawrence] Can’t you make a difference? An extra stop at one point in the games? I find it hard to believe that we can’t. “So my goal is, if I’m awake this week, to go out and prove it.”
Even more difficult for Parsons is that his sprained ankle went from missing Week 5 at the Pittsburgh Steelers to missing each of the last four games.
“You know, honestly, I don’t [think I would be out this long]”Parsons said. “I mean, as soon as I got hurt I thought, ‘Man, I can come back against Detroit.’ [in Week 6] good?’ I understand. I had a long week and then realized that my injury was more significant than I thought and what the team thought when they did the MRI. It was a challenge. Obviously everyone is different, the healing process was different. I thought he was known as a fast healer. Obviously I didn’t want to go [injured reserve]but looking back I probably should [have]. Honestly, it’s a tough place to be in, because I couldn’t even stand on my toes for three or four weeks. So it’s a constant battle and I’m happy to be where I am.”
The final checkpoint for Parsons’ return to the game, in his opinion, was getting through Thursday’s padded practice without a problem. Parsons said if he does that, he feels he’ll be ready to play Sunday at AT&T Stadium.
“Yeah, I just have to try my best. I have to put the pads back on,” Parson said. “I have to make my moves game-like. At the end of the day, you don’t want to put out a bad movie. You don’t want to come out being limited. People might see that and try to attack.” something like ‘he’s trying to hold his leg or he’s limping’. You just don’t want to be the person holding the team back. “So at no point where I feel like I’m holding the team back, I’m going to put them in positions where they’re not playing good football.”
When Parsons suits up on Sunday, he won’t be a decoy because if he’s out there, he’ll be going full speed ahead.
“Yeah, once I’m playing, I’m playing. That’s just the competitor in me,” Parsons said. “I got hit a lot. I was like, ‘Man, once I’m competing, I’m competing.’ It’s hard to control that. Yeah, the ankle sets back the more you cut it and hit it, you just develop a tolerance. It’s just one of those things”.
