Dallas Cowboys star pass rusher Micah Parsons is considered day-to-day with a back injury, head coach Brian Schottenheimer said on Friday.
Parsons was not on the field for practice Thursday in Oxnard, Calif., raising eyebrows among the team’s fanbase given that he also asked for a trade last Friday. Parsons is seeking a long-term extension that would make him one of the league’s highest-paid defensive players.
“He got some work done on his back yesterday,” Schottenheimer said. “I think it’s going good. He was doing some of the stuff in the ‘mock’ last night so it’s always good to see him moving around. But I think it’s going well.”
Parsons, 26, is scheduled to earn $24 million this season on his fifth-year option. The 2021 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year has recorded double-digit sacks in each of his first four seasons and has watched the market for pass rushers explode.
Defensive end Myles Garrett signed a four-year, $160 million extension with the Cleveland Browns. Maxx Crosby inked a three-year, $106.5 million extension with the Las Vegas Raiders. T.J. Watt’s extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers was for three years and $123 million, a record $41 million annual average salary. A Parsons extension likely would be in the same ballpark — or more.
Parsons recorded 12 sacks, 43 tackles and two forced fumbles in 13 games (all starts) last season.
A Pro Bowl selection in each of his first four seasons in the league, Parsons has totaled 256 tackles (63 for loss), 112 quarterback hits, 52.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in 63 career games (all starts).