Micah Parsons Faces Absence, Packers Find Replacement

Micah Parsons will likely miss the first month of the season, and the Green Bay Packers are looking for a replacement.

The Packers may turn to Brenton Cox Jr, who had four sacks in seven games after Preston Smith's trade in 2024.

Cox joined the Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and has appeared in 15 games, earning one start.

He has played 316 snaps, including 243 on defense and 73 on special teams, tallying 17 tackles and five sacks.

Cox and Dani Dennis-Sutton are viable rotation players off the edge, but one of them may start alongside Lukas Van Ness if the Packers don't add more talent.

Van Ness is ready to step into a leadership role, according to Micah Parsons, who believes Van Ness will have a breakout season if he stays healthy.

The Packers will face the Minnesota Vikings on September 13, and Cox or Dennis-Sutton may start if no other edge-rushers are added.

Cox has a one-year contract worth $1.7 million and is confident in his ability to pick up the slack.

Micah Parsons has confidence in Lukas Van Ness, saying he'll probably be the favorite by the end of the season.

Van Ness stood out in OTAs, and Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated dubbed him the MVP of the offseason work.

The Packers' defense will rely on Cox, Van Ness, and others to fill the gap left by Micah Parsons' absence.