The Green Bay Packers’ bid for a Super Bowl run suffered a potentially devastating blow during their 34–26 loss at the Denver Broncos, as star edge rusher Micah Parsons exited the game with what looked to be a serious knee injury.

Parsons, who was acquired from the Dallas Cowboys before the season and quickly became the Packers’ cornerstone defender, went down with a non-contact left knee injury late in the third quarter while in pursuit of Broncos quarterback Bo Nix. The play immediately shifted momentum, and Parsons was ruled out for the rest of the contest — and almost certainly the remainder of the 2025 season.

Parsons went down after planting his foot awkwardly during the pass rush attempt and, according to multiple reports, the initial diagnosis suggests a torn ACL, a scenario that could potentially erase Green Bay’s hopes of a deep playoff run, especially as they have once again fallen behind age-old rivals Chicago in the race for the NFC North title. Head coach Matt LaFleur was surprisingly candid in his assessment after the game, despite acknowledging the severity of the situation.

“It doesn’t look good. I’ll leave it at that,” he said.

The loss dropped the Packers’ record to 9-4-1, complicating their path to the postseason as the potential seventh seed with three games remaining. Denver, meanwhile, clinched a playoff berth in the AFC with the victory, but are not yet confirmed as West division champions with the L.A. Chargers still able to overhaul them.

While Parsons himself has not yet publicly commented on his condition, his absence was felt instantly by teammates and coaches. His contributions this season have been significant — not least entering Week 15 tied for third in the NFL with 12.5 sacks as he anchored a defense that had been one of Green Bay’s most reliable units.

“Obviously, it sucks when anybody gets injured,” veteran safety Xavier McKinney acknowledged. “It’s a big loss for our defense, for our team, but the next guy got to step up. It is what it is, but I’m praying that … [the injury] is not like too, too crazy.”

Sunday’s game had been tightly contested before Parsons’ injury, with Green Bay leading 23–14 in the third quarter before allowing Denver to score 20 unanswered points thereafter. The Packers also suffered other injuries, including to recently-returned wide receiver Christian Watson, who exited with a chest injury suffered on a contested catch, but later released from hospital.

Parsons eventually posted his reaction on social media, refusing to allow anything to bring him down.

“I may be sidelined, but I am not defeated,” he wrote. “This injury is my greatest test — a moment God allowed to strengthen my testimony. I believe He walks with me through this storm and chose me for this fight because He knew my heart could carry it. I’m deeply grateful to the Packers organisation and my team-mates for their unwavering support, love and belief in me during this season. I trust His timing, His plan and His purpose. I will rise again.”