Packers' Micah Parsons may miss start of season

Star pass rusher recovering from torn ACL, expected to miss 3-4 games

Mar. 26, 2026 at 8:25pm

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Green Bay Packers star pass rusher Micah Parsons is expected to miss the first 3-4 games of the 2026 NFL season as he recovers from a torn left ACL suffered in Week 15 of the previous season. Parsons, a five-time Pro Bowler, underwent reconstructive knee surgery in late December and is working to get back on the field for the Packers, who acquired him in a trade from the Dallas Cowboys in 2025.

Why it matters

Parsons is one of the league's premier defensive players, making the All-Pro team three times in his first five seasons. His absence for the start of the season will be a significant blow to the Packers' defense as they look to build on a strong 2025 campaign and make a deep playoff run.

The details

Parsons, 26, suffered the season-ending knee injury in a Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos on Dec. 14, 2025. He finished his first season with the Packers with 12.5 sacks, 41 tackles, 27 quarterback hits, and two forced fumbles. Green Bay acquired Parsons from the Cowboys in a trade on Aug. 28, 2025, then signed him to a four-year, $186 million contract extension through 2029.

  • Parsons underwent reconstructive knee surgery on Dec. 29, 2025.
  • Parsons is expected to miss the first 3-4 games of the 2026 NFL season.

The players

Micah Parsons

A five-time Pro Bowl selection, Parsons has recorded 65.0 sacks in 77 games (76 starts) since the Dallas Cowboys drafted him with the No. 12 overall pick in 2021. He was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2021.

Green Bay Packers

The NFL team that acquired Parsons in a trade from the Dallas Cowboys in 2025 and signed him to a four-year, $186 million contract extension.

Dallas Cowboys

The NFL team that drafted Parsons with the No. 12 overall pick in 2021 before trading him to the Green Bay Packers in 2025.

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What’s next

The Packers will monitor Parsons' recovery progress and provide updates on his timeline to return to the field. The team's first game is scheduled for Sept. 8, 2026.

The takeaway

Parsons' injury is a setback for the Packers, who were counting on the star pass rusher to anchor their defense. However, the team has depth and talent on that side of the ball and will need other players to step up in Parsons' absence as he works to get healthy and rejoin the lineup.