How will the Packers manage Micah Parsons' workload early in the season? History provides an indication

While the Packers haven't revealed their ramp-up plan for Micah Parsons, history provides an indication about how the All-Pro pass rusher's first month in Green Bay will unfold.

The blockbuster trade that sent Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers shook the NFL world. The deal remapped the power centers in the NFC, turning Parsons' new team into one of the true Super Bowl front-runners while the Dallas Cowboys sank further into football purgatory.

In the time since the move became official, the focus has turned from how Parsons affects the Packers' long-term trajectory to what he can provide for them this Sunday against the Detroit Lions. The All-Pro pass rusher had sat out practice for weeks before the trade, claiming to have back tightness. Most initially attributed the injury to a negotiating strategy, but Parsons indeed has a ligament issue in his back that requires management from the training staff.

To this point, Green Bay hasn't even confirmed that Parsons will even dress for the season opener.

"Well, we'll see," head coach Matt LaFleur said Wednesday when asked about Parsons' chances of playing on Sunday. "He's doing everything in his power. He's rehabbing hard. We've got to get through a few practices to see how he responds, to see how he does. But, I'm certainly hopeful."

But though the Packers haven't said whether Parsons will play, the signs point to him suiting up on game day. General manager Brian Gutekunst said he felt "hopeful that he'll help us in some form or fashion in the opener." Parsons has also practiced since arriving in Green Bay.

"I think, physically, I'm great," Parsons said at his introductory press conference. "I think I can contribute a lot. I'm going to team up with the doctors, 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. You know, 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 finna give my all."

Barring an unforeseeable development, it does appear that Parsons will play this weekend. However, it remains less clear how many snaps the coaching staff will give him right out of the gate and how soon it will take for him to return to a normal workload.

While the Packers won't tip their hand regarding Parsons, history provides an indication of how his first month in Green Bay will unfold.

The ramp-up plan