DENVER (AP) \u2014 Micah Parsons is believed to have suffered a torn ACL in his left knee, a person with knowledge of the All-Pro pass rusher\u2019s injury told The Associated Press on Sunday.<\/p>\n
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the severity of the injury hadn\u2019t been confirmed by tests.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sickened,\u201d Parsons told the AP in a text message.<\/p>\n
Parsons\u2019 injury is a devastating blow to the Green Bay Packers (9-4-1), who lost 34-26 to Denver<\/a> on Sunday to fall a half-game behind the NFC North-leading Chicago Bears.<\/p>\n Parsons was steps away from another sack when he suddenly pulled up and fell to the ground, grabbing at his left knee. And in that moment, the Packers lost more than a showdown with the Broncos.<\/p>\n Asked about the possibility that Parsons tore his ACL, coach Matt LaFleur responded: \u201cIt doesn\u2019t look good. I\u2019ll leave it at that.\u201d<\/p>\n It was the second significant injury for the Packers, who lost receiver Christian Watson<\/a> to a chest injury after All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II fell on him following a third-quarter interception. LaFleur confirmed that Watson went to a hospital for tests.<\/p>\n \u201cI told the guys, \u2018Nobody is going to feel sorry for us,\u2019\u201d LaFleur said. \u201cEverybody\u2019s going to have to elevate their play.\u201d<\/p>\n Parsons blew past right tackle Mike McGlinchey and was chasing after Broncos quarterback Bo Nix when he suddenly pulled up and fell to the ground. Parsons clutched his knee as trainers and teammates came over to check on him. Surtain walked onto the field and tapped Parsons on the shoulder pads before he left for the locker room.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s obviously tough,\u201d LaFleur said after the Packers\u2019 four-game win streak was halted. \u201cWe all know what type of player he is and the impact he\u2019s had on our football team. To lose somebody like that, it\u2019s tough. … We\u2019ve got to find a way. Guys have to rally around one another.\u201d<\/p>\n Parsons was having a big game. He forced an early fumble and was credited with a pass breakup. <\/p>\n Parsons has 12 1\/2 sacks this season after the Packers acquired him from Dallas in late August for two first-round picks and three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Kenny Clark<\/a>. The Packers gave Parsons a four-year, $188 million<\/a> contract with $136 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history.<\/p>\n \u201cHurt to see,\u201d defensive end Rashan Gary said. \u201cWill be missed on this defense. You all know his impact.\u201d<\/p>\n Gary had a chance to briefly speak with Parsons after the game.<\/p>\n \u201cTold him to keep his head up and we\u2019re going to finish strong for him,\u201d Gary said. \u201cIt hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n Green Bay was clinging to a 23-21 lead when Parsons was hurt. Soon after, Nix connected with Troy Franklin for the go-ahead score as the Broncos ran their winning streak to 11 games.<\/p>\n Was it hard for the Packers to get back into it without No. 1 on the field?<\/p>\n \u201cYou see your star player like that go down … trying to finish the game strong for him. Trying to finish the game strong for us,\u201d Gary said. \u201cThe situation, when we go on the field, we\u2019ve got to find a way to get off \u2014 period.\u201d<\/p>\n The 26-year-old Watson was hurt in the third quarter when Surtain made a diving interception and landed on top of him. Watson missed the start of the season as he recovered from tearing his ACL in Green Bay\u2019s 2024 regular-season finale. He returned on Oct. 26 at Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n \u201cA double whammy for us, just losing some pieces that are critical for our success,\u201d LaFleur said.<\/p>\n The Packers have to regroup in a hurry. They play at Chicago on Saturday.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll come up with a plan,\u201d LaFleur said.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n Maaddi reported from Tampa, Florida.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n