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It’s going to be a quick turnaround for Green Bay Packers pass-rusher Micah Parsons to see the field against the Detroit Lions in Week 1. He was traded on August 28th, just 10 days before the Packers’ season opener on September 7th. Because of that, many are wondering, “How many snaps is he actually going to be on the field for?”
The easiest one-to-one comparison in this situation is what Khalil Mack went through back in 2018. Mack was traded on September 1st and played on September 9th, just an eight-day turnaround. So in this aspect, Parsons actually has the edge. Parsons will also be playing a home game, which means not deleting a day for travel, while Mack traveled to Lambeau Field for his Chicago Bears debut, another factor in this equation.
While Mack didn’t start for the Bears, he did play a majority of the snaps in that game. In total, he played 42 defensive reps, good for 70 percent of the game. That was his season low in 2018, but it wasn’t extraordinarily low. For reference, he averaged 54.8 defensive snaps in the remaining games of the season, so a dock of about 13ish snaps from his usual rate.
Mack immediately became a “starter” (even though he played the majority of snaps in Week 1) the following week. In the next three games, he played 48, 50 and 51 reps, pretty close to his snap count in Week 1.
So do I think Parsons is going to be hyper-limited to obvious pass-rushing downs against the Lions? Not if Mack’s turnaround is any indication. Honestly, Parsons could eat a starter’s share worth of snaps this week. For perspective, in substitution-happy Green Bay, starting defensive end Rashan Gary has only played 53 percent and 59 percent of defensive snaps over the last two years. If anything, Parsons playing 70 percent of reps would be an immediate improvement at the position, not a reduction in play for a starter.
Will the Packers have their full playbook installed with Parsons and allow him to roam the field in all sorts of places? That’s where I have my doubts. But as far as him actually getting on the field? There shouldn’t be huge limitations. Expect to see him a lot on the edge this week with the linebacker-type blitz fronts showing up more week-by-week.
If there’s any “be fast, see ball, go get ball” position in the NFL, it’s edge rusher. How did Mack fare with just one week of practice in Chicago? He posted a sack, an interception for a 27-yard touchdown, a pass breakup, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Honestly, Parsons will probably play more versus Detroit than you think.
