Micah as Deion? Cowboys Star Hints At New Role - On Offense

Perhaps accidentally, Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons revealed that he has taken snaps at tight end in practice. Should Dallas go "full Deion Sanders'' here?

Through two games, Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons is off to a blazing start to the season.

The two-time All-Pro has taken no prisoners so far, tallying four tackles for loss, three sacks and a forced fumble. He's been the anchor for a dominant Dallas defense that has allowed just 10 points in two games. Parsons is widely seen as the favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year, and at his current pace, he could even work his way into MVP discussions.

The third-year linebacker is one of the best defenders in the game - and given that he lines up at defensive end most of the time, we shouldn't even limit him by calling him a "linebacker'' - but according to him, that may not be all he can do. 

Micah and Deion

In an appearance on Tuesday's episode of "The Pat McAfee Show," Parsons revealed that he has taken reps at tight end in recent practices to help with scouting.

“Big Mike [McCarthy] actually let me get a couple scout team reps at tight end,” Parsons said. “He might not let y’all know that, I probably shouldn’t have spilled the tea.” 

"Big Mike let me get a couple scout team reps at Tight End..

I probably shouldn't have spilled the tea on that one" 😂😂 ~ @MicahhParsons11 #PMSLive #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/yFCRHlUiCh

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 19, 2023

Seeing as Parsons' tight end reps are just for the scout team, it seems unlikely that he will actually play the position in a game. Still, the fact that McCarthy even had the idea at all is very interesting. But there is a story behind the story ...

As our Mike Fisher has reported, Parsons has for the last couple of years - at training camp and at practices - been afforded the opportunity to take a few pitch-outs from Dak Prescott while "playing running back'' and to field a few punts while "playing punt returner.'' 

Says Fish: "It's a way to keep him interested and engaged, and this sort of thing can loosen up a practice. And it speaks to Micah's athleticism. But he's not a 'better' running back than Tony Pollard, so why would the Cowboys put him there in a game? And if he ever got hurt in a game by doing this 'for fun'? Somebody's head would roll.''

It is worth noting that Parsons as a high school running back was an almost unstoppable force. And just this week, in the 30-10 win over the Jets, he showed off his ball-carrying skills on a play on which he forced a fumble, recovered it and juked his way to a long TD return, only to have it called back.

MICAH PARSONS FORCES THE FUMBLE & RETURNS IT FOR A TOUCHDOWN!!!

THE LION IS ALWAYS HUNGRY 🦁 pic.twitter.com/U6DOjovF2r

— Dallas Nation (@TheDallasNation) September 17, 2023

Two-way players, especially those of Parsons' build, are exceedingly rare in the modern NFL. The closest comparable in recent memory is probably three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt, who occasionally lined up as a tight end for the Houston Texans in red-zone situations. Former linebacker Mike Vrabel, now the coach of the Tennessee Titans, also took on a similar role in his playing days with the New England Patriots.

Cowboys and Hall of Fame legend Deion Sanders may be the greatest modern-day example of a true two-way player ... and that dates back almost 30 years.

If Parsons were to actually line up on offense, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him excel in the role like he has on defense for his entire career. But it would be a surprise to actually see the Cowboys let him do it.