McCarthy: Cowboys preparing to face Steelers without Parsons
The Dallas Cowboys don't expect to have star linebacker Micah Parsons available in their Week 5 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football.
"We are preparing to play without him," head coach Mike McCarthy said Monday, according to Todd Archer of ESPN.
Parsons sustained an ankle injury during Thursday's win over the New York Giants. The All-Pro defender originally said he was "good," but McCarthy explained Friday that Parsons' injury was worse than anticipated.
The 25-year-old said he's disappointed about potentially missing Dallas' next game. The 2021 first-round pick has missed just one contest since entering the league, sitting out due to COVID in his rookie year.
"Just frustrating, for real," Parsons said Monday, according to Archer. "Going from being ready and being there for the team to being out hurts me because I feel like I'm letting people down."
He added: "I feel like I want to play on Sunday. If I can play, I will play, you know. To me, as long as I can run and move how I move, I want to play."
If Parsons misses Week 5, Dallas will face Pittsburgh without its top edge rushers, as DeMarcus Lawrence is reportedly expected to be sidelined for at least four weeks due to a foot injury he sustained against New York.
Lawrence is battling a Lisfranc injury to his right foot, sources told Archer. The four-time Pro Bowler reportedly won't need surgery but could miss up to eight weeks.
Lawrence leads the 2-2 Cowboys with three sacks in 2024, while Parsons has recorded a team-high six QB hits.
Following its prime-time matchup versus the Steelers, Dallas hosts the Detroit Lions in Week 6 before going on a bye.