Overview
- The Packers placed Parsons on season-ending injured reserve after his Week 15 knee injury in Denver, with NFL Network reporting a clean ACL tear and an estimated nine-month recovery that offers a good chance for a Week 1 return in 2026.
- Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley voiced strong confidence in Parsons’ rebound, even predicting he could come back better and challenge the single-season sack record next year.
- Parsons signaled an aggressive comeback goal by posting “September” as his target return date on X.
- Before the injury, Parsons had 12.5 sacks and an NFL-high 83 pressures through 15 weeks, accounting for roughly 32.9% of Green Bay’s total pressures per Next Gen Stats.
- With the NFC North lead at stake in Chicago, coaches and leaders outlined adjustments featuring bigger roles for Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness, possible snaps for Brenton Cox Jr., and selective pressure packages using linebacker Edgerrin Cooper.