Micah Parsons breaks down difference between playing linebacker, defensive end

Micah Parsons is a man of many talents, playing multiple positions for the Dallas Cowboys. He would be elite at just about all of them but has really flourished along the defensive line this season. Dallas originally drafted Parsons as an inside linebacker, where most of his rookie year was spent.

With the near full-time move to edge rusher, Parsons has been more banged up later in the season. While he has not missed a game to this point, the physicality of going after NFL offensive tackles and quarterback on a consistent basis is taking a toll.

“People don’t understand that trench warfare. I’m not gonna lie, when I was playing LB a whole lot last year, my body was way more fresh,” Parsons said on Von Miller’s show, The Von Cast. “There were some plays I wouldn’t get touched. When you’re on the line, you’re getting touched every play.”

When Dallas drafted Parsons early in the first round, he was expected to pair alongside Leighton Vander Esch. Once defensive coordinator Dan Quinn saw how explosive he was, he decided to give it a whirl closer to the line of scrimmage.

And once he started to play there, the results were too good to line up anywhere else.

Parsons began the season against Tampa Bay playing 100% of defensive snaps and over the first four weeks, never dipped below 80%. Since then, Parsons has gone over the 80% number just twice against the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers.

There is no doubt Parsons is going to be on the field during important, intense games. But as the season progresses, the snap counts have gotten smaller. At the very least, it’s something to monitor down the final four-game stretch.

Whether that’s being on the field or if Parsons is switching back to his natural inside linebacker position at times.

Jacksonville is next on the schedule coming off an unexpected close win against Houston. The following week, it’s one everyone has had circled on their calendars for a long time. Philadelphia will be in Arlington on Christmas even with a major NFC East showdown taking place.

You can bet we’ll see Parsons above the 80% snap counts then.

In 13 games for the Cowboys this season, Parsons has recorded 57 total tackles. He is a true disruptor in the backfield, having 13 tackles for a loss and 12 sacks. When it’s all said and done, the Defensive Player of the Year Award might be heading back to the Metroplex.