The Green Bay Packers' Super Bowl chances took a massive hit in Week 15, and not because of the result of their matchup against the Denver Broncos.
Star defender Micah Parsons, who was acquired by the Packers before the 2025 season and has remained one of the most impactful pass rushers in the NFL, left the game with an apparent non-contact knee injury.
Parsons' official diagnosis hasn't yet been confirmed, but based on the "initial belief," per ESPN's Adam Schefter, it appears to be a long-term setback for the Packers star.
Here's the latest on Parsons' return timetable.
MORE: Updated Packers playoff chances
How long is Micah Parsons out?
The "initial belief" is that Parsons tore his ACL against the Broncos, according to Adam Schefter. Still, that will have to be officially diagnosed after further testing, but the early signs are not positive for the star defender.
The initial belief is that Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons suffered a torn ACL today, as @ProFootballTalk reported. There will be further testing to see if that is the case. Pic.twitter.com/YmLUtdFaV7
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 15, 2025
After the game, Packers coach Matt LeFleur did not have good words to say about the injury.
Packers HC Matt LaFleur told reporters that Micah Parsons’ knee injury, thought to be a torn ACL, “doesn’t look good.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 15, 2025
Parsons was in a lot of pain on the ground, grabbing at his left knee following a non-contact injury.
Micah Parsons is down on the field for the Packers pic.twitter.com/EY4EfyiQFK
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 14, 2025
He was then helped to the locker room by trainers, and he was ruled out by the Packers soon afterward.
Micah Parsons left the game after suffering a non-contact injury to his leg.
— ESPN (@espn) December 14, 2025
He was able to walk to the locker room with assistance.
(📺 CBS) pic.twitter.com/4pG52dRySQ
With Green Bay still in playoff contention, it appears that the team will have to fill a massive defensive void left by Parsons' injury. For now, the expectation is that Parsons won't be on the field again in 2025.
Torn ACL recovery timeline
If the MRI officially concludes that Parsons tore his ACL, as is the reported initial belief, then he will be out for the rest of the season and also in danger of missing the start of the 2026 season, given the timing of the injury. A torn ACL typically requires a recovery time of 9-12 months, depending on the severity.
Another NFL star was diagnosed with a torn ACL in Week 15 as well, as Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes went down for the long-term.
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- Six reasons why the Chiefs never got over Super Bowl hangover
- Patrick Mahomes suffers knee injury on final drive of Chiefs-Chargers
- Chiefs officially eliminated from NFL playoffs with loss to Chargers
Packers schedule 2025
Here's a look at the Packers' final three regular season games.
| Date | Opponent | Time | TV Channel |
| 12/20 | @ Bears | 8:20 p.m. | Fox |
| 12/27 | vs. Ravens | 8 p.m. | Peacock |
| TBD | @ Vikings | TBD | TBD |