Packers star pass rusher Micah Parsons feared to have torn ACL, AP source says

DENVER (AP) — Micah Parsons is believed to have suffered a torn ACL in his left knee, a person with knowledge of the All-Pro pass rusher’s injury told The Associated Press on Sunday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the severity of the injury hadn't been confirmed by tests.

“I’m sickened,” Parsons told the AP in a text message.

Parsons’ injury is a devastating blow to the Green Bay Packers (9-4-1), who lost 34-26 to Denver on Sunday to fall a half-game behind the NFC North-leading Chicago Bears.

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.

Asked about the possibility that Parsons tore his ACL, coach Matt LaFleur responded: "It doesn’t look good. I’ll leave it at that.”

It was the second significant injury for the Packers, who lost receiver Christian Watson 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.

“I told the guys, ‘Nobody is going to feel sorry for us,’” LaFleur said. “Everybody's going to have to elevate their play.”

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.

“It's obviously tough," LaFleur said after the Packers' four-game win streak was halted. “We all know what type of player he is and the impact he's had on our football team. To lose somebody like that, it's tough. ... We've got to find a way. Guys have to rally around one another.”

Parsons was having a big game. He forced an early fumble and was credited with a pass breakup.

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. The Packers gave Parsons a four-year, $188 million contract with $136 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history.

“Hurt to see,” defensive end Rashan Gary said. “Will be missed on this defense. You all know his impact.”

Gary had a chance to briefly speak with Parsons after the game.

“Told him to keep his head up and we're going to finish strong for him,” Gary said. “It hurt.”

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.

Was it hard for the Packers to get back into it without No. 1 on the field?

“You see your star player like that go down ... trying to finish the game strong for him. Trying to finish the game strong for us,” Gary said. “The situation, when we go on the field, we've got to find a way to get off — period.”

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’s 2024 regular-season finale. He returned on Oct. 26 at Pittsburgh.

“A double whammy for us, just losing some pieces that are critical for our success,” LaFleur said.

The Packers have to regroup in a hurry. They play at Chicago on Saturday.

“We’ll come up with a plan,” LaFleur said.

Maaddi reported from Tampa, Florida.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Green Bay Packers' Christian Watson reacts after an injury during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Denver Broncos' Pat Surtain II intercepts a pass in front of Green Bay Packers' Christian Watson during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Green Bay Packers' Christian Watson is hurt after Denver Broncos' Pat Surtain II intercepts a pass during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Green Bay Packers' Micah Parsons reacts after an injury during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Green Bay Packers' Micah Parsons reacts after an injury during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

ATLANTA (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 21 points and 17 rebounds and the Milwaukee Bucks snapped a three-game losing streak, holding off the Atlanta Hawks 112-110 on Monday after squandering a 23-point lead in the second half.

The Hawks led 105-104 on Jalen Johnson's 3-pointer with 1:11 remaining before dropping their fourth in a row in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day game played in the hometown of the civil rights icon.

AJ Green and Bobby Portis hit back-to-back 3s, Johnson turned the ball over and Antetokounmpo powered inside for a basket that made it 109-105 with 36 seconds to go.

The Hawks still had a chance after Nickeil Alexander-Walker connected from outside the stripe and Ryan Rollins missed a free throw for the Bucks. But CJ McCollum bobbled the ball and wound up flinging an off-balance shot that clanked off the rim to seal it for Milwaukee.

Atlanta nearly won after missing its first 21 shots from 3-point range. The Hawks trailed 54-38 at halftime and 74-51 approaching the midway point of the third period before finally coming to life.

Alexander-Walker led the Hawks with 32 points, while Johnson had 28 points and 16 rebounds. The Bucks were more balanced, with six players in double figures.

Milwaukee made a lineup change, dropping Kevin Porter Jr. from the starting five. After starting all 36 games he had played this season, Porter was replaced by Kyle Kuzma.

Porter was benched after a rough January that included an 0-for-9 shooting performance in Milwaukee's previous game, a blowout loss to the San Antonio Spurs. He played 28 minutes against the Hawks with nine points, seven assists and six rebounds.

The Hawks continued to struggle at home, dropping to 7-13 at State Farm Arena. They are 13-12 on the road.

As part of the holiday commemoration, Martin Luther King III and his wife, Arndrea Waters King, were recognized during a timeout early in the third quarter.

Bucks: Return home to take on the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night.

Hawks: Travel to Memphis on Wednesday to face the Grizzlies.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

MArtin Luther King is honored during the first half of an NBA basketball game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Milwaukee Bucks, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) shoots against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) looks to pass against Atlanta Hawks forward Corey Kispert (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) moves the ball against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots against Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)