Cowboys 'Preparing' to Play Without Micah Parsons Amid Star's Injury, McCarthy Says

After suffering a high-ankle sprain against the New York Giants on Thursday, Micah Parsons' status for this week's matchup is in doubt.

Per ESPN's Todd Archer, Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said the team is gearing up to be without the star as they face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

"We are preparing to play without him," McCarthy said.

Parsons suffered the injury late in the fourth quarter of Thursday's win after Giants guard Greg Van Roten fell down and rolled over Parsons' leg. He managed to walk off the field but was later carted to the locker room to undergo X-rays, which were negative.

According to the Dallas Morning News' Calvin Watkins, Parsons could miss two to four weeks.

Parsons, a potential Defensive Player of the Year candidate coming into the year, has had a bit of a slow start to the season under new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, totaling just 14 tackles, a sack and six quarterback hits through four games. He's coming off a career season that saw him pick up 64 tackles and 14 sacks.

Parsons' absence would be a major hit to a Cowboys defense that has struggled early on this season. Dallas has given up the sixth-most rushing yards and most rushing touchdowns through four games, and Parsons being off the field will likely only make things worse.

The Cowboys showed some improvement in the win against the Giants, allowing just 24 yards on the ground, but Dallas is still 2-2 to start the year, including a lopsided 44-19 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 2.