Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley reacts to Micah Parsons’ injury
Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley said he’s still highly confident the defense will perform well, even with the loss of Micah Parsons.
Micah Parsons isn’t sugarcoating it. He is facing his greatest test.
The Green Bay Packers’ superstar edge rusher noted that in the days after he suffered a season-ending ACL injury earlier this month.
While Parsons immediately proclaimed he would “rise again” and that his goal is to return at the beginning of next season, his latest update this week further reveals his mindset as he begins his long recovery back.
“Two weeks in, I’ve accepted the pain and the reality of this journey,” Parsons wrote on X Christmas Day. “Some days are heavy, some days aren’t but every day brings its own fight.
“My courage, my strength, and my mind have all been tested. Still, I won’t stop. I won’t quit until I’m back. I’m grateful God chose me.”
Parsons suffered the noncontact ACL injury in the second half of the Packers‘ game against the Denver Broncos on Dec. 14. He had just broken through Broncos offensive linemen and had his eyes on quarterback Bo Nix. But as he was planting his left foot, he stopped in his tracks and grabbed his leg.
Parsons fell to the ground and needed assistance getting off the field.
The Packers confirmed Parsons tore his ACL the next day.
Micah Parsons surgery update: Did Micah Parsons have surgery?
Parsons has not had surgery to repair his torn ACL, Packers coach Matt LaFleur said earlier this week.
But LaFleur said surgery would be coming.
After the injury, Parsons flew to the Dallas area for the birth of his third child. Parsons was expected to return to the facility Dec. 24.
Micah Parsons stats
Before the injury, Parsons was nearly unstoppable in his first season with the Packers. The Packers acquired the three-time All-Pro days before the season in a blockbuster trade with the Dallas Cowboys that shocked the NFL.
The 25-year-old lived up to the hype.
A true game wrecker who faced double teams which seemed like every snap, Parsons would earn his fifth Pro Bowl nod, the only Packers representative.
Late last month in a win over the Detroit Lions, Parsons recorded his 12th sack, becoming the only player in NFL history to have at least a dozen sacks in each of his first five years. Packers icon Reggie White previously had the record with four consecutive seasons.
In 14 games, Parsons finished with 12.5 sacks
He had three games with two or more sacks, including his first three-sack game of his career this season on Oct. 19 against the Arizona Cardinals.