Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1545675
1 1 2 A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M F ormer Penn State great Micah Par- sons won't be in the Green Bay Pack- ers' lineup when they open the 2026 season Sept. 13 at Minnesota. The veteran defensive end continues to recover from the ACL injury he suffered last December. If he stays on track with his rehabilitation, he should return to ac- tion in October. But while meeting with reporters earlier this summer, he said he was wary of coming back too soon. "The goal has always been [to ensure] longevity with my career here, and I think they want that approach," Parsons said. He added that he didn't want "to go out there and re-hurt myself trying to force myself to get back for the first few games. The goal has always been play- offs, and I think we're all on the same page." In his first season with the Packers after being traded by Dallas last sum- mer, Parsons recorded 12.5 sacks and was named an All-Pro for the fourth time. He is now focused on his rehab, as well as learning the defense that new coordina- tor Jonathan Gannon has been installing and building chemistry with his team- mates, which include another PSU edge rusher, rookie Dani Dennis-Sutton. "We've talked about all of us being back together on the field again, and that's the beauty part, finally getting through those dark tunnel stages and being back on the field," Parsons told the Packers' official website. "That's the magic. That's what I look at when I'm working out — how can I get back with my friends and my brothers?" FORMER NITTANY LIONS IN THE NFL As of June 30 Drew Allar (played at Penn State from 2022- 25), QB, Pittsburgh Steelers: Allar is battling for a roster spot after being chosen in the third round of the 2026 draft. With Aaron Rodgers back for one more season, the former Nittany Lion is competing with Mason Rudolph and Will Howard for Pittsburgh's backup job. Kaytron Allen (2022-25), RB, Washington Commanders: Washington took Allen in the sixth round of this year's draft. He's looking to earn a spot on a Commanders team that aver- aged 137.4 rushing yards per game last year to rank fourth in the league. Saquon Barkley (2015-17), RB, Philadelphia Eagles: Barkley finished his second season in Philadelphia with 1,140 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns while adding 50 receiving yards and 2 scores. Ryan Bates (2016-18), OL, free agent: Bates is an unrestricted free agent after spending the past two seasons with the Chicago Bears. Jaquan Brisker (2019-21), S, Pittsburgh Steel- ers: Brisker led the Bears' defense with 1,142 snaps in 18 games. In March, he signed a one- year, $5 million deal with Pittsburgh. Ji'Ayir Brown (2020-22), S, San Francisco 49ers: Brown is entering his fourth season in San Francisco. He totaled 80 tackles and 2 in- terceptions in 2025. Abdul Carter (2022-24), DE, New York Gi- ants: Carter started six games as a rookie, fin- ishing with 43 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries. Tariq Castro-Fields (2017-21), CB, Philadel- phia Eagles: Castro-Fields signed a reserve/ future contract with the Eagles in January, which keeps him with the franchise during the offseason. Sean Clifford (2017-22), QB, Cincinnati Ben- gals: Clifford spent the second half of the 2025 season with the Bengals after being cut by Green Bay. He'll be looking to earn a roster spot in preseason camp. Nick Dawkins (2020-25), OL, Baltimore Ra- vens: After going undrafted, Dawkins signed a free agent deal with Baltimore in April. Dominic DeLuca (2021-25), LB, Baltimore Ravens: DeLuca will look to make the Ravens' roster after signing a free agent pact following the draft. Dani Dennis-Sutton (2022-25), DE, Green Bay Packers: Green Bay took Dennis-Sutton in the fourth round in April. He will be vying for a spot in the Packers' defensive end rotation. Khalil Dinkins (2021-2025), TE, San Francisco 49ers: After going undrafted, Dawkins signed a free agent deal with the Niners in April. Jahan Dotson (2018-21), WR, Atlanta Fal- cons: Dotson signed a two-year, $15 million deal with Atlanta in March after catching 18 Micah Parsons Won't Be Ready For Season's Start G R E G P I C K E L | G R E G . P I C K E L @ O N 3 . C O M PSU IN THE PROS Parsons had amassed 12.5 sacks before his first season in Green Bay was cut short by an ACL injury. PHOTO COURTESY GREEN BAY PACKERS