Aside from a frustrating loss to the Detroit Lions last Sunday, the Green Bay Packers have righted the ship. Winning three out of their last four games has put the Packers in a firm NFC playoff position as we reach the halfway point of the season. And with the team hosting the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night, it looks like they're about to get some much-needed reinforcements.

According to ESPN's Rob Demovsky, after missing the first eight games of the 2026 NFL season (which includes Thursday night), Parsons' return to practice could happen as soon as next week. Of course, that doesn't mean Parsons will definitely play in Green Bay's Week 9 game against the New England Patriots. Right now, the most likely outcome seems to be Parsons ramping up, then returning to the Packers' lineup after their Week 11 bye, when they will play the Los Angeles Rams on the road on Sunday, November 25th.

Technically speaking, that's still a ways away. But it is encouraging that the Packers just might have their best player back for the stretch run of the season as every contender starts trying to get primed for the playoffs.

While nothing was definitive, [Packers] coach Matt LaFleur on Tuesday changed the way he answered the weekly question about Parson's return to practice that he has gotten over the past month and a half.

"I sure hope so," LaFleur said. [About a return to practice in Week 9]

Previously, the answer had always been a quick and hard no.

LaFleur acknowledged that his answer this time was different.

"It is," he said. "At the end of the day, that's the medical [decision]. Yeah, I'm itching [for] it, though, for sure."

LaFleur added: "I'm saying there's a chance."

For what it's worth, the Packers defense has actually done rather well considering it's been without Parsons for almost half a full season. But it will assuredly be a lot better and a lot more dangerous with him in the lineup. Don't worry, Packers fans. You only have to wait a few more weeks.

Who is Micah Parsons' backup on the Packers?

Barryn Sorrell is currently in Parsons' usual place in the Packers' defense. Sorrell is in his second season after being selected in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.