All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons is trying to be positive and hopeful about the fate and fortunes of the Dallas Cowboys defense over the next few games.
But he can’t deny the obvious.
With Parsons likely sidelined 2-4 weeks with a high ankle sprain and Pro Bowl defensive end out 4-8 weeks with Lisfranc injury to his right foot and possibly headed to injured reserve, the truth is the truth about the Cowboys defense without its two best defensive linemen.
“It’s definitely tragic,” Parsons said who wore walking boot and rode around the Cowboys locker room on a scooter. “Obviously, I never want to see me and DLaw out at the same time.”
Parsons is not giving up hope he can play Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers but it’s highly doubtful. The Cowboys trainers and doctors have already told him it’s a no go.
And coach Mike McCarthy said the team is preparing to play without Parsons.
But he has yet to start his rehab and his crossing his fingers.
Parsons has never missed a game in is life due to an injury and doesn’t want to break the streak.
“I was trying to shake back,” Parsons said. “I got into the office and [head trainer] Jim [Maurer] and them was like, ‘Yeah you’re probably not going to be able to go’ and I was like, ‘Damn’.
“I never missed a game. This is like, like I’ve played through hurt. I’ve played through pain. So to me playing through hurt isn’t really the problem.”
There is a difference between playing hurt and being injured.
And an injured and humbled Parsons now realizes his mortality, that he is human.
“Man, it’s like, just frustrating. For real,” Parsons began. “Going from being ready and being there for the team, to like being out hurts me. Because I feel like I’m letting people down.”
Letting people down with a legitimate injury?
“Of course. I kind of pictured myself as invincible for a while. Humbling,” Parsons said. “It’s part of that test. Faith. Keeping the faith alive. Come back strong.”
When he can come back remains up in the air and it depends on how Parsons handles his rehab.
He wants to get back as fast possible. But he also knows he needs to make sure he is healthy so it’s not something he is dealing with all season.
“Yeah don’t want it to linger,” Parsons said. “I want to be able to go into it and just be ready.”
The Cowboys face the Steelers on Sunday, the Detroit Lions on Oct. 13 and then a bye before a road game at the San Francisco 49ers.
Parsons missing two games and returning for the 49ers is the logical plan of action but he in not tied to that timetable.
“It probably makes sense to start,” Parsons said. “But when you’re a real competitor, you only get 17 chances at this, and missing one of these opportunities to perform a at the highest level bothers me. I feel like i want to play on Sunday. If I can play, I will play, you know. As long as I can run and move how I move, I want to play.”
Until then he is hoping and praying his teammates can hold the fort until he and Lawrence gets back.
“Yeah, it’s time to man up,” Parsons said. “For sure. We talk about next man mentality. It’s just all part of the test, man. it just gives more room for these guys that are coming in, playing a lot, to get ready. Honestly, it’s not a terrible thing. you want these guys to be ready so when we get late in the season those guys are going to be prepared to go though it and they have the experience and keep getting better and better.
“I’m very confident in these guys.”
Those guys include rookie defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, Chauncey Golston and Carl Lawson. McCarthy said the Cowboys are also scanning the waiver wire and free agency for help.
