Micah Parsons’ Season Ends with Torn ACL - and an Odd Take from Ryan Clark
Micah Parsons’ 2025 season has come to a heartbreaking end, and the timing couldn’t be worse for a Green Bay Packers team that’s been eyeing a deep playoff push. The All-Pro linebacker went down in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s win over the Denver Broncos with a non-contact knee injury - the kind that makes everyone watching hold their breath. On Monday, the Packers confirmed what many feared: Parsons tore his ACL and will miss the rest of the season.
But while the football world rallied around Parsons with support, ESPN analyst Ryan Clark sparked headlines for a different reason. During a segment on NFL Live ahead of Monday night’s Steelers-Dolphins game, Clark made an eyebrow-raising comment, suggesting that Denver quarterback Bo Nix played a role - indirectly - in Parsons’ injury.
“Micah Parsons is hurt because of Bo Nix,” Clark said. “I’m not saying it’s one of those things that’s Bo Nix’s fault, but the violence in which Micah Parsons had to chase Bo Nix the entire second half was extremely evident.”
It was a strange moment, to say the least. Clark’s point seemed to be that Parsons, who was relentless in his pursuit of Nix all game long, may have worn himself down to the point of injury.
But the reality is this: ACL tears, especially the non-contact kind, are usually just bad luck. No dirty hit.
No awkward tackle. Just a sudden stop or plant gone wrong - and that’s exactly what happened here.
Still, Clark’s comments drew attention not just for their uniqueness, but because they came in the wake of a huge loss for Green Bay. Parsons wasn’t just a star on this defense - he was the star.
Since arriving via blockbuster trade, he’s elevated the Packers’ defense from good to elite. In 14 games this season, he racked up 12.5 sacks, consistently disrupting quarterbacks and anchoring a unit that had become one of the NFL’s most feared.
With Parsons out, the pressure now shifts to the rest of the defensive front. Rashan Gary, who has 7.5 sacks on the year, becomes the focal point of the pass rush.
Devonte Wyatt, with four sacks, will also need to step up. There’s still talent here - no doubt.
But replacing a top-five defensive player in the league? That’s a tall order for any team, let alone one trying to make a Super Bowl run.
The good news for Green Bay is that they’re built to withstand adversity. This is one of the most balanced rosters in the league, and the NFC playoff picture is as wide open as it’s been in years.
Jordan Love has shown steady growth at quarterback, and Josh Jacobs continues to be a tone-setter in the backfield. If they can stay healthy and get timely contributions from the defense, the Packers still have the pieces to make a serious run.
But make no mistake - losing Micah Parsons is a gut punch. He was having a career year, playing with the kind of edge and explosiveness that changes games. His absence leaves a massive void, not just in production, but in leadership and energy.
As for Clark’s comments? Chalk it up to a hot take that missed the mark. The real story here is the loss of one of the game’s premier defenders - and how the Packers respond without him.