Micah Parsons contract dispute: Ian Rapoport reveals biggest hurdle for Week 1 availability

Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimerremained confident with reporters that Micah Parsons would be on the field for Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles. The star pass-rusher has not practiced during training camp after requesting a trade.

However, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said that puts up a big hurdle with Parsons’ availability for the season opener. The former Penn State star hasn’t started a ramp-up period yet, meaning he’s likely not game-ready just yet.

Rapoport compared Parsons’ situation to Terry McLaurin’s with the Washington Commanders. He also requested a trade and has a 10-day ramp-up period to get onto the practice field at all. Parsons is not even to the ramp-up period as of Wednesday, meaning he still faces an uphill battle to being ready for Week 1.

“Micah Parsons has been on the field. He’s just been on the sidelines – sometimes sitting, sometime standing, sometimes slowly walking,” Rapoport said on The Insiders. “He is nursing that back injury that he has had the entire training camp, a nagging back injury. It is important to note Micah Parsons is trying to get himself ready to play. He has not practiced yet. We have been talking about the Terry McLaurin situation. McLaurin faces a 10-day ramp-up just to get on the practice field. Micah Parsons hasn’t even begun the ramp-up to get on the practice field yet.

“So for the Dallas Cowboys and for Brian Schottenheimer – and I certainly understand why he has continued to focus on the field and somehow, some way try to remain optimistic. But Micah hasn’t even practiced yet … and gone full speed, let alone think about trying to play Game 1.”

Schottenheimer made it clear he thinks Parsons will be on the field when the Cowboys kick off the season against the Eagles in the first NFL game of the year. The star pass-rusher’s status came into question amid his quest for a new contract, which would likely make him the league’s highest-paid non-quarterback.

Jerry Jones previously didn’t have as much confidence that Parsons would be out there for Week 1, and the talks between the two sides have stalled. As a result, Rapoport said he’s “pretty far away” from being ready to jump into a game setting.

“He also, I should note, has requested to be traded,” Rapoport said. “Yes, if he had to somehow play and he was physically ready, then he would play.

“But he has also requested to be traded. The Cowboys have shown no indication that they are going anywhere toward a long-term deal. So I get it, but we’re pretty far away from that right now.”