Cowboys Could Use Micah Parsons on Offense vs Cardinals

Dallas Cowboys LB Micah Parsons could be used on the offensive side of the ball against the Arizona Cardinals.

Dallas Cowboys LB Micah Parsons has quickly transcended up the ranks from one of the best linebackers in the league - to one of the best defensive players in the league - to simply one of the best overall athletes in the game. 

Parsons is a game-wrecker, and the Arizona Cardinals know it. 

"They do a really good job in their scheme with Dan Quinn, moving him around. He's inside, he's outside. Last year he's lining up at linebacker. You got to figure out where No. 11 is going to be in the run game, in the pass game, in the protection game," Cardinals QB Josh Dobbs told reporters. 

"So that's what we're diving into. What's his plan first and second down? Third down, how are they getting him in ideal spots to rush the passer and how we can try to neutralize that as an offense?"

Parsons aligns nearly everywhere on the football field, though he could be taking some snaps in unfamiliar territory. 

"Big Mike [McCarthy] let me get a couple scout-team reps at tight end," Parsons said on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Tuesday. "He might not have let y'all know that. I probably shouldn't have spilled the tea (h/t CBS Sports).

Coach McCarthy says Parsons indeed could feature at the spot. 

"He played a snap there [at tight end]," McCarthy said. "I will not give you an evaluation on that, but, yes, it's something you entertain. Definitely. Micah, honestly, does have that ability."

That's something former Cardinals DE J.J. Watt had some experience with during his time with the Houston Texans. Watt caught three-of-four career targets for three touchdowns, though Arizona never utilized him in an offensive package. 

Dallas has plenty of offensive firepower on that side of the ball between Dak Prescott, Tony Pollard and CeeDee Lamb among others. 

However, Parsons' presence on offense would simply be another wrinkle for the Cardinals to unpack. 

“Obviously, he’s one of the elite players in the world. He’s explosive, fast, and powerful. He can rush, he can play the run, and he takes the ball away. He’s a really good player," said Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon on Parsons.

“You never want to let their best players beat you, but that’s why he’s one of the best players in the world. We’ve got to have a plan for him and understand that he’s going to make plays, but you’ve got to try to negate some of his impact and splash plays and go about it from there.”

The Cowboys are -12.5 point favorites against the Cardinals.