“Cowboys’ Micah Parsons Out for Steelers Matchup Amid Growing Injury Concerns”
Dallas Cowboys All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons will not play Sunday night in Pittsburgh, where injuries have become a key concern for the team.
This week, Parsons was seen wearing a protective boot and using a knee scooter at the team facility, indicating that he won’t play due to the injury he sustained during the Cowboys’ 20-15 victory over the New York Giants.
Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, the team’s sack leader with 3.0 this season, was also injured in the same game and has been placed on injured reserve (IR), leaving the Cowboys without their top pass rushers against the 3-1 Steelers.
Parsons has only missed one game in his career, back in 2021 due to COVID-19. However, head coach Mike McCarthy emphasized that the team is thinking long-term.
Dallas may also be without cornerbacks Trevon Diggs (ankle) and Caelen Carson (shoulder), who are both listed as questionable and did not practice on Friday.
“It’s really frustrating,” Parsons said. “Going from being ready to help the team, to being sidelined—it hurts because I feel like I’m letting people down.”
If Parsons sits out for the next two weeks, including the Oct. 13 matchup against the Detroit Lions, he could get nearly a month of recovery time. The Cowboys (2-2) have a bye after that and return to face the San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 27.
Though the extended rest could be beneficial, Parsons admitted it’s hard for him to accept. “As a competitor, you only get 17 opportunities, and missing even one chance to perform at the highest level really bothers me,” he said.
Lawrence, meanwhile, will be out for at least four games after being placed on IR.
The Steelers have also ruled out linebacker Alex Highsmith (groin) and running backs Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) and Jaylen Warren (knee).
Parsons, 25, has been a first-team All-Pro in two of his three NFL seasons and has averaged 13.5 sacks per year since being drafted 12th overall by the Cowboys in 2021.