Micah Parsons injury update: Packers LB feels 'great' after Cowboys trade

Amid his contract talks and subsequent trade request from the Dallas Cowboys, Micah Parsons said he was dealing with a back injury. Following his trade to the Green Bay Packers, he provided an update.

Parsons said he’s feeling “great” after the blockbuster move, which came down Thursday. He also landed a lucrative contract from the Packers, becoming the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. The trade came after he reportedly sought a second opinion on his back.

Now, Parsons said he’s getting a plan together so he can work his way toward being game-ready. He made it clear he doesn’t intend to just “sit on the sidelines” after the Packers’ investment.

“I think physically, I’m great,” Parsons said. “I think I can contribute a lot. I’m gonna team up with the doctors to create a plan. We already talked about how we can ramp things up and get me into a flow where they feel comfortable and I feel comfortable.

“But my plan is to be here. They didn’t give up what they gave up for me to sit on the sidelines and make this big of a risk and change for me to do that. So I’m finna give my all.”

The Cowboys traded Parsons to the Packers in exchange for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. All the while, the former Penn State star got the lucrative contract he desired. He is set to sign a four-year deal worth $188 million, including $136 million guaranteed, according to multiple reports. He will also get $120 million at signing.

Micah Parsons had been seeking a new contract with the Cowboys that would likely make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL – which his deal with the Packers did. However, the pass-rush market shifted multiple times as Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt became the first $40 million-per-year edge rushers. That meant the price kept climbing for Parsons as he neared the end of his rookie deal.

As he settles in to his new digs, Parsons said he’s already feeling a warm welcome from the Green Bay faithful. He said his new teammates spoke highly of the environment and even compared it to his alma mater.

“I got the chance to speak with some other guys and faculty about what it could be like if I decided to come here,” Parsons said. “I got to talk to Rasheed [Walker] a little bit. That’s my guy from Penn State, came in together. ‘It’s like Penn State. It’s like home. It’s like a brotherhood. It’s safe. You focus on ball and we keep everything the right thing.’

“It kind of gave me comfort, and it kind of gave me a better decision. Like, ‘OK, this is the place where I feel like I can take my next step and continue to have a great legacy here.’”