Micah Parsons is typically the straw that stirs the Cowboys‘ proverbial drink on defense. He entered Week 14 as the NFL’s 2023 leader in quarterback pressures (78) and quarterback pressure rate (20.3%, best among players with at least 250 pass-rush snaps in this season), but right before kickoff he was seen utilizing an oxygen mask ahead of facing the Cowboys’ arch-rival, the Philadelphia Eagles.
The 24-year-old All-Pro edge rusher isn’t out of shape, he was just dealing with flu-like symptoms that he came down with on Saturday night, including a triple-digit fever.
“Last night I woke up with a one-hundred two, three fever,” Parsons said postgame Sunday night. “Just like…I took as many drugs and I.V.’s as a man can take to possibly be able to play today. I just need to go home and rest.”
Despite the internal struggles, Parsons put up a typical performance, totaling a sack and three quarterback pressures in a 33-13 wire-to-wire victory in which the Dallas defense forced three turnovers, all fumbles.
“We can take over this game if we want to,” Parsons said. “We just have to keep going. We have the right players in this room. We just have to keep showing it.”
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is well aware of how critical Parsons’ presence is to their winning equation week in and week out, and he did what he could to help Parsons keep battling against the Pro Bowlers like right tackle Lane Johnson, left guard Landon Dickerson and center Jason Kelce.
“I talk about expectations a lot about myself and my expectations, I’ve got very high standards and expectations for Micah Parsons, and he wants that,” Prescott said postgame. “He’s shown that he deserves that and can live up to him. I checked on him, but it wasn’t much of a ‘how are you doing?’ It was more of go have a flu game type performance if you’re out here and you can play. I know that’s what you’re thinking. I’m thinking the same thing. I know you’re going to be tired, that’s part of it. That’s when you get to show how great you are. It was really just reminders throughout the game. He walked by me, I got a chance to say “Hey Micah.” I’d say something, shake his hand, and dap him up often and keep it rolling. Kind of little the little relationship or transactions that we have during the game right there. It’s just to you know, keep him into it.”
Parsons’ lone sack came at a critical juncture in the night….
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at CBSSports.com Headlines…