Arya News - Micah Parsons went down with a non-contact injury in the third quarter of Sunday`s game.
The Green Bay Packers" loss to the Denver Broncos went from bad to worse Monday, as an MRI reportedly confirmed star pass rusher Micah Parsons sustained a torn ACL in Week 15, according to multiple reports.
The injury will keep Parsons out at least nine months, per NFL Network"s Ian Rapoport.
That was the expected result after Parsons went down with a non-contact injury in the third quarter of the Packers" 34-26 loss to the Broncos on Sunday. It was Green Bay"s second major injury in the quarter, as wideout Christian Watson also left the contest with a chest injury.
While Watson"s injury likely played a role in the Packers" loss, the Parsons injury threatens to wreck the rest of the year for the Packers. It"s impossible to overstate the impact Parsons had on the Packers after the team gave up two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark to acquire Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys.
In 14 games, Parsons had already racked up 12.5 sacks. He was well on his way toward setting a new career-high in the stat prior to the injury. And Parsons managed that figure despite seeing limited snaps early in his tenure with the Packers due to a back injury and training camp holdout when he was with the Cowboys.
The injury comes at a miserable time for the Packers, who fell out of first place in the NFC North following Week 15"s loss. Things won"t get much easier for Green Bay moving forward, as the team has to play the division-rival Chicago Bears in Week 16 with the division on the line. Green Bay"s defense came up big against Caleb Williams and the Bears when the two teams met in Week 14. Without Parsons, it could be a different story this time around.
After that, the Packers will square off against the Baltimore Ravens and the Minnesota Vikings to close out the season. It"s not an easy slate.
While the injury is devastating, the Packers are still in good position to make the playoffs. A win over the Bears in Week 16 would put the team in tremendous position to play in the postseason. But even with a loss, the Packers could secure a lower playoff seed if the team can finish strong down the stretch.
But the loss of Parsons would hit even harder in the postseason, when the Packers will face much stiffer competition and better quarterbacks. Parsons is capable of blowing up game plans with his elite pass rushing ability. If teams no longer have to account for him, opposing offenses should have an easier time ensuring passing plays remain on schedule.
With the injury expected to keep Parsons out multiple months, the Packers also face the possibility of not having the pass rusher early next season. That will depend on Parsons" rehab and whether he can avoid setbacks as he attempts to come back from a devastating injury.
If there"s a silver lining, it"s that Parsons has plenty of time to get the Packers back on track. After his trade, Parsons signed a four-year, $188 million extension with the Packers, ensuring he"ll be a member of the franchise through the 2029 NFL season.
That gives Parsons plenty of time to still make an impact in Green Bay. His first year with the franchise may have ended in disappointment, but Parsons will be back striking fear into opposing quarterbacks before long.