Is Micah Parsons playing today? Latest updates for Cowboys star

It is absurd, if not unsurprising, that national talking heads labeled the Dallas Cowboys' Week 5 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers as unimpressive. While the Steelers are no juggernaut, the Cowboys overcome a litany of injuries, among other things, to win on the road.

The Cowboys' defense played admirably given the circumstances, but perhaps no player's presence was missed more than Micah Parsons.

Parsons was diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain following Dallas' Week 4 win. He was given a week-to-week timetable, which left a glimmer of hope that he'd return for Sunday's big NFC clash against the Detroit Lions. Jerry Jones kept that door ajar during his Tuesday radio appearance on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas.

While Parsons' toughness is well-documented not even he can beat a high-ankle sprain in two short weeks. The Cowboys will be without their all-world pass rusher against the 3-1 Lions.

Micah Parsons ruled out for Cowboys' Week 6 game vs. the Lions

This certainly isn't optimal for the Cowboys' chances, but Week 8 always felt like the most realistic return date for Parsons.

While Parsons is out of his boot and off the scooter that he was using to move around the facility earlier in the week, Patrik Walker of the team's official website noted the star pass rusher was walking "with a pronounced limp."

Parsons was a DNP in practice all week, but he worked with the resistance cords. That's a strong indicator that he's on track to return for Dallas' first game after the bye: a road date with the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night Football.

Despite missing last week's game, Parsons still ranks ninth among edge rushers with 21 pressures and tied for seventh with five quarterback hits this season, per Pro Football Focus. He is also fifth in pass-rush win rate and ninth with 11 defensive stops, so he has made his presence felt against the run in addition to wreaking havoc on opposing QBs.

With Parsons officially ruled out, the Cowboys will be down their top four defensive ends: Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence (on IR with a foot injury), Marshawn Kneeland (on IR with a knee injury) and Sam Williams (out for the season with a torn ACL).

As if things couldn't get any worse, linebacker and leading tackler Eric Kendricks won't play due to shoulder and calf injuries.

If there's a silver lining for Cowboys fans, it's that star cornerback DaRon Bland is trending toward making his season debut. However, the team will be remarkably short-handed against one of the best teams in the conference.

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