Micah Parsons return timeline set; here's how long the Packers star will be out with ACL injury

Star defender Micah Parsons leaves game with non-contact knee injury; MRI results pending.

Green Bay Packers' Micah Parsons reacts after an injury during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, in Denver.(AP)

The Green Bay Packers are bracing for potentially difficult news after star defender Micah Parsons left Sunday’s Week 15 matchup against the Denver Broncos, with a non-contact injury to his left knee. Parsons, one of the league’s most disruptive pass rushers this season, was helped off the field and ruled out soon after.

While the team has yet to confirm a formal diagnosis, early indications suggest the injury could keep Parsons sidelined for an extended period.

What happened during the Broncos game

Parsons went down without contact and immediately grabbed at his left knee, remaining on the ground in visible pain. Trainers assisted him to the sideline before escorting him to the locker room, and the Packers later ruled him out for the remainder of the game.

Head coach Matt LeFleur offered little reassurance, acknowledging the seriousness of the situation but saying further testing would be needed to determine the full extent of the injury.

Although the Packers have not released official test results, ESPN reported that the “initial belief” around the league is that Parsons may have suffered a torn ACL. “Pretty sure Micah Parsons just tore his ACL. Could see the tibia shift,” Sports Medicine doctor Brian Sutterer posted on X.

That assessment has yet to be confirmed by an MRI. But The Sporting News reported that the non-contact nature of the injury and Parsons’ reaction raised immediate concern.

If confirmed, the injury would be season-ending and pose a major blow to Green Bay’s defense.

How long could Parsons be out?

A torn ACL typically requires nine to 12 months of recovery, depending on severity and rehabilitation progress, according to The Sporting News.

That timeline would rule Parsons out for the remainder of the 2025 season and could put his availability for the start of the 2026 campaign in doubt, given the late timing of the injury.

Parsons has been a cornerstone of Green Bay’s defense since arriving before the season, consistently pressuring quarterbacks and anchoring the pass rush. For now, the team remains in a holding pattern, awaiting clarity on the diagnosis.