Packers Injuries Not as Damaging as Perceived

Green Bay ranked middle of the pack in Adjusted Games Lost metric despite key injuries

Mar. 6, 2026 at 3:52pm

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The Green Bay Packers were 9-3-1 and headed for a potential Super Bowl preview against the Denver Broncos when they suffered major injuries to star players Micah Parsons and Tucker Kraft. However, the team's overall injury situation was not as dire as it seemed, ranking 15th in the NFL in Adjusted Games Lost (AGL) metric. The data shows the Packers' defense was relatively healthy, with Parsons missing just 3 games. Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals, led by new Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, were the second-most injured team since 2001 according to the AGL metric.

Why it matters

The Packers' injury situation was not as catastrophic as it appeared, as they were able to remain competitive despite the high-profile losses of Parsons and Kraft. This suggests their late-season struggles may have had more to do with other factors beyond just injuries. The data also highlights the importance of timing when it comes to injuries, as Parsons' absence in the final games proved more impactful than if he had missed earlier in the season.

The details

According to the AGL metric, the Packers ranked 15th overall in the NFL in terms of injuries, with the defense in particular remaining relatively healthy outside of Parsons. Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals, who will be led by new Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, were the second-most injured team in the league in 2025. Packers GM Brian Gutekunst acknowledged that injuries are simply part of the NFL, noting that the team's 2010 Super Bowl-winning season featured more injuries than any other.

  • Micah Parsons suffered a torn ACL in the third quarter of the Packers' game against the Denver Broncos.
  • Parsons only missed 3 regular-season games due to the injury.

The players

Micah Parsons

One of the best players in the NFL who suffered a torn ACL in the Packers' game against the Broncos, causing him to miss 3 regular-season games.

Tucker Kraft

Arguably the Packers' best player on offense, who was also injured in the Broncos game.

Brian Gutekunst

The Packers' general manager who acknowledged that injuries are simply part of the NFL and refused to use them as an excuse for the team's late-season struggles.

Jonathan Gannon

The new Packers defensive coordinator, who previously led a Cardinals defense that was the second-most injured in the league in 2025.

Aaron Schatz

The analyst who compiled the Adjusted Games Lost (AGL) metric that showed the Packers were relatively healthy compared to other NFL teams.

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What they’re saying

“The Packers were pretty average for injuries in 2025. They had some big injuries. Every team has some big injuries! The Micah Parsons injury was a big deal but he only missed three regular-season games.”

— Aaron Schatz, Analyst

“I got one ring since I've been doing this, and it was the year that we had more injuries than I think any other, right? So, like, it's nothing against any other teams here. But you never feel like, 'Hey, we can't go win this game.'”

— Brian Gutekunst, Packers General Manager

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This data shows that the Packers' injury situation, while impactful, was not as dire as it may have seemed. The timing of key injuries like Parsons' proved more crucial than the overall injury numbers. As the Packers transition to a new defensive coordinator in Jonathan Gannon, they will hope to avoid the rash of injuries that plagued Gannon's previous team in Arizona.