Pass-rusher Micah Parsons reportedly could miss the Dallas Cowboys' regular-season opener at the rival Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday, Sept. 4, as he deals with an alleged back injury amid his desire to receive a massive contract extension.
On Monday, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk revealed that Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones could soon offer quite a response to Parsons regarding the supposed back issue that has kept the 26-year-old off the practice field throughout the summer.
"The MRI of Parsons' back was, according to coach Brian Schottenheimer, 'pretty clean,'" Florio explained. "If the team thinks it’s clean enough for Parsons to play, the team could take things up a notch. As one league source with knowledge of the procedures explained it to PFT, the Cowboys can send a letter to Parsons, explaining that he’s cleared to practice and reminding him that failure to do so constitutes conduct detrimental to the team. If he persists in refusing to practice (and, eventually, to play), the Cowboys can take action. They can fine him for conduct detrimental to the team. Eventually, he can be suspended for up to four games without pay."
Last week, Schottenheimer said he felt "good that Micah will be out there against the Philadelphia Eagles" on Sept. 4, even if Parsons doesn't have a signed extension in hand at that time. However, Schottenheimer made that comment before Parsons looked downright miserable during Dallas' preseason finale against the Atlanta Falcons this past Friday.
While Parsons went public with a trade request on Aug. 1, he is under contract through the 2025 campaign. During an interview last week, Jones hinted that he is willing to retain Parsons' rights for at least 2026 via the franchise tag.
"For Micah, it’s eventually costly to the tune of $5.33M, which is the cost of a four-game unpaid suspension based on his fifth-year option of $24M," Florio added about how the Cowboys could react to Parsons refusing to practice and/or play on his existing deal. "And that could be where things are heading if the Cowboys decide to take the current ugliness to the next level."
Jones' history suggests he will eventually make Parsons happy before the first Thursday of September arrives. Last summer, Jones signed wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to a four-year, $136M deal in late August. The following month, it was learned hours before Dallas' regular-season opener that quarterback Dak Prescott had agreed to a four-year extension.
That said, it sounds like Jones is serious about keeping Parsons on his current deal if the four-time Pro Bowler doesn't accept the last offer submitted by the Cowboys.