The Dallas Cowboys wrapped up their preseason with a 31-13 victory, but Micah Parsons’ ongoing back tightness cast a shadow over the team’s performance. Since experiencing discomfort during June’s minicamp, Parsons has faced challenges that have raised concerns about his availability for the regular season. The unexpected kicker though the star linebacker was playing in the game, he didn’t wear a jersey. As a player he was just as clearly absent on the field.
So when the Cowboys played their final opponent in the preseason, Parsons made the decision to remain on the sideline. When the third quarter started, he had gone to lie down on a medical table behind the bench. His state of health soon came into question. This led to increased excitement over his preparedness for the Eagles’ matchup in Week 1. After the game, Parsons refused to speak with reporters, and fans as well as analysts were left wondering what exactly was wrong with Parsons.
On the Friday before the game, Parsons got an MRI to check on his back tightness. We wrote last week about how he’s been treating this condition while practicing in Oxnard, California. On top of that, he’s taken part in walk-throughs and team meetings in the days leading up to their preseason finale. Even with all this involvement, his physical readiness is still up in the air.
After Parsons’ episode, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones sounded a hopeful note in a media availability. He then likened the linebacker’s chronic back problems to the current impasse in talks for a long-term deal. Jones stated that he believed Parsons’ tightness was “in the same category as the trade request” and viewed it as part of the negotiation process. In doing so, he underscored how big and important the offer made to Parsons was. That would have made it one of the largest guaranteed sums ever given to a non-quarterback.
In an interesting sideline moment during the game, Parsons reacted to an Atlanta Falcons fan’s call for him to join their team by making a ‘call me’ gesture towards his ears. This light-hearted exchange offered an unexpected moment of levity, despite heavy news about his health dominating the conversation.
Trevon Diggs weighed in on Parsons’ situation, indicating that his teammate’s participation in Week 1 against Philadelphia would depend heavily on how his back felt in the days leading up to the game. Never fear, says offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, though Parsons will be back. Still, he conceded he had no news on the particulars of Parsons’ usage in the game.
Parsons is using this platform to push back against media narratives surrounding his diagnosis. He thanked our blog for helping him reinforce his position. He proposed that, in the absence of his knowledge, the public would have wrongly painted him as a victim.
“I actually appreciate this. The way media shapes perception and narratives is wild—and if he hadn’t said anything, everyone would’ve just run with it. I’d never disrespect the guys out there fighting for their lives.” – Micah Parsons
As the Cowboys shift their focus toward their season opener, all eyes will remain fixed on Parsons’ recovery and readiness. This coming week will be big for seeing if he’ll be able to help his new squad against a powerful opponent as he did before.
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