Cowboys LB Micah Parsons: 'If I can play, I will play'

Dallas Cowboys All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons is itching to play, but the knee scooter and protective boot with him as he spoke to reporters Monday gave a clue that his left high-ankle sprain might force him to miss some time.

Parsons sustained the injury in the Cowboys' 20-15 win over the New York Giants on Thursday, but he wasn't ready to declare himself out for his team's game Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1).

Still, he acknowledged the possibility of missing his first-ever game -- that includes youth leagues through the NFL -- due to injury.

"I kind of considered myself invincible for a while," Parsons said. "I'm humbled."

The only game he has missed with the Cowboys came in 2021 because of COVID-19.

"Man, it's like, just frustrating, for real," Parsons said. "Going from being ready and being there for the team, to being out hurts me because I feel like I'm letting people down."

The way the schedule stands, Parsons could recover for about a month if he misses the game against the Steelers and the Oct. 13 matchup with the Detroit Lions. The Cowboys (2-2) have a bye after that, then return Oct. 27 against the San Francisco 49ers.

While he said the long recuperation sounds good in theory, it's not something he's eager to do.

"When you're a real competitor, you only get 17 chances at this, and missing one of these chances to perform at the highest level bothers me. So I feel like I want to play this Sunday. I want to play. If I can play, I will play."

He said he especially doesn't want to be out at the same time as DeMarcus Lawrence, who suffered a foot injury against the Giants and is looking at several weeks out of action. Just in case, Parsons has started talking to his teammates about how they can step in.

Replacing Parsons isn't an easy task, however.

Parsons, 25, was selected a first-team All-Pro in two of his previous three NFL seasons and averaged 13.5 sacks per year since the Cowboys took him with the No. 12 overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.

--Field Level Media