For the third time in his young career, Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons has been named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week after his performance in the team’s 30-10 win over the New York Jets on Sunday.
Parsons led his unit to take control of the game in the second half, finishing with three tackles (two for loss) and two sacks while causing and recovering a fumble — one of the Dallas defense’s four turnovers forced in the second half. He also pressured Jets quarterback Zach Wilson six times.
“You can’t deny his excellent, inordinate skill level,” team owner Jerry Jones told media members about Parsons after Sunday’s game. “Forces me to point out how hard he works and how driven he is. He is just literally an overachieving, great player. He’s handling every nuance of how to get better, every part of it, on and off the field. He’s a real example, and it’s great to see it pay off for him in production.”
The third-year former first-round draft pick out of Penn State has blossomed into a superstar early in his career, earning two Pro Bowl and All-Pro nods, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2021, and gaining recognition from his peers through the NFL’s annual Top 100 Players lists.
He has now won the award once in each of his professional seasons, tying former linebacker Sean Lee for the second-most times winning the honor in franchise history and trailing just one behind DeMarcus Ware for the club record.
“To me, it doesn’t matter where I am, where I’m at; I’m comin’,” Parsons told the media after Sunday’s win. “I don’t care if I’m gassed out or my lungs hurt. Mind over matter. Every time I’m out there, I seize every opportunity. Unlike some guys [who] take this opportunity for granted, I take this extremely to heart. This organization changed my life, so I’m just trying to give everything I have back to the fans, to Mr. Jones, and [to] all my teammates.”
That defense has been on full display entering its third year under defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, forcing seven turnovers and scoring two touchdowns over the first two weeks.
Next for the Parsons and the Cowboys (2-0) is a trip to Arizona to face the Cardinals (0-2) at 3:25 p.m. CT on Sunday. The Cardinals have been playing their backup quarterbacks, so it could be another great week for the Cowboys’ defense.
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EXTRA POINTS
— Here are the other Players of the Week across the NFL for Week 2.
— Cowboys offensive lineman Tyler Smith is expected to return to the practice field on Wednesday.
— Police in the Chicago area are searching for former NFL player Sergio Brown, who is considered a missing person.
— A New England Patriots fan died after a fight at Gillette Stadium on Sunday. The cause of death was initially thought to be head trauma from landing on the ground after being punched, but an autopsy suggested he had another medical condition that contributed.
— Running back Kareem Hunt is signing with the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday after Nick Chubb’s season-ending injury. Hunt previously played for Cleveland from 2019 to 2022.
— Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson has been ruled out for the season with a broken fibula.
— New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Williams will miss time with a hamstring injury suffered during Monday’s win over the Panthers.
