Micah Parsons Reveals Sneaky Way Aaron Rodgers Avoided Getting Sacked By Him
Micah Parsons managed to sack Aaron Rodgers for the first time in his career on Sunday, but he missed out on getting another sack during the game thanks to a head-up play from the 41-year-old veteran quarterback.
At another point in the game, Parsons came so close to taking Rodgers down until Rodgers quickly threw the football before he could reach him.
"The one where I was hawking him down, and I was this close to getting him," Parsons recalled. "Then he was like, 'I heard the crowd.' I was like, 'That's some vet s— right there.' I'm like, 'Crowd, shhh.'
The surprisingly heavy Green Bay crowd appeared to come in handy for Rodgers. Assuming the crowd was cheering thinking Parsons was gonna sack Rodgers—or even just reacting to the play—the quarterback was able to use the noise as a signal to get the ball out of his hands and avoid the sack.
"He was great to play. And he told me to buy his house," Parsons added with a laugh.
The moment was somewhat reminiscent of an earlier Packers game this season, when Browns defensive end Myles Garrett beat Packers offensive tackle Rasheed Walker, leaving Walker to warn quarterback Jordan Love by yelling, "Jordan! Run!" Like Rodgers, Love was able to get the ball out of his hands before Garrett reached him.
This wasn't the only time Rodgers was able to use his football IQ to avoid a sack in the game. At another point of the game, Packers defensive lineman Karl Brooks appeared to strip-sack Rodgers. Replay later showed that Rodgers actually threw the ball at the feet of running back Jaylen Warren quickly before he went down, and it was ruled an incomplete pass. While Rodgers might not be able to run like he could in his prime, his awareness still gives him a great advantage.
Ultimately, Parsons and Rashan Gary combined for three sacks on Parsons as the Packers earned a 35-25 win over the Steelers. Parsons is now up to 6.5 sacks on the season, sixth-most in the NFL.
Lions Get Some Good News on Starting Left Tackle
The Detroit Lions waited close to a month to get starting left tackle Taylor Decker back on the field after he dealt with a nagging shoulder injury, but it appeared they may have lost him again after just one game back.
Decker aggravated his shoulder in the team’s Oct. 20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, leaving him with an uncertain status for the upcoming game. Head coach Dan Campbell had a bit of good news this week, raising hopes that Decker won’t have to miss any more time.
Taylor Decker Returning to Practice
Speaking to reporters, Campbell explained that Decker would miss practice on Tuesday but would be back on the field before the end of the week.
“I see him practicing [Thursday], not today. He did yesterday, but I don’t see him practicing today,” Campbell said on Tuesday, via SB Nation’s Pride of Detroit.
Decker had been dealing with shoulder pains for much of the season, getting knocked out after the team’s Sept. 28 win over the Cleveland Browns and not returning until the game against the Buccaneers on Oct. 20.
The return wasn’t so smooth, with Decker telling reporters after the game that he aggravated the injury.
“Not great,” Decker told the Detroit Free Press when asked how he felt after the game.
Decker was able to play all 68 offensive snaps in the win over the Buccaneers, then the top team in the NFC, but the left tackle gave up a sack that led to a Jared Goff fumble. While Decker played well otherwise, Campbell said the veteran lineman was frustrated by the mistake.
“He’s a perfectionist,” Campbell said, via the Detroit Free Press. “He’s a prideful guy and he wants to know he can play his best kind of football and it can get frustrating when you know you’re not 100%.
“And so I understand what that is but – and like I tell him, you help us though, you elevate us. And I just appreciate the fact he’s out there trying to get it done and hopefully we can get it to calm down and good news is I think there’s still some strength in it, but the guy’s a stud, man. He is.”
Decker had the benefit of the bye week to get some extra recovery time, and his status for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings will become clearer by the end of the week.
More Injury News for the Lions
The Lions could get another big return this week as running back and special teams mainstay Sione Vaki is expected to practice the entire week. He has missed the last four games with a groin injury, but could be close to returning this week.
“Vaki practiced yesterday. He’s going to practice today. He’s going to practice Thursday after the day off,” Campbell said. “So we’re hopeful. He looked good. He looks good right now, and hopefully we can get him to the game. That’s the plan.”
The Lions are also moving closer to getting defensive lineman Marcus Davenport back after suffering a Week 2 chest injury, but Campbell said he would remain on IR for at least a little longer.
“He is improving, but I can’t give you a definitive ‘this is when he’s going to be back.’ I’m just very confident he is going to be back. We’re going to get him back here,” Campbell said.
