The Dallas Cowboys need a win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night to keep their season alive, but the fan base might be reeling after watching former star Micah Parsons go down with a non-contact injury in the late afternoon slate.
Parsons went down in a heap while pursuing Broncos quarterback Bo Nix. His left knee buckled as he planted and tried to change direction. The initial signs were grim, and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport has confirmed football fans' worst fears.
The initial belief is that Parsons suffered a torn ACL. That would put an end to Parsons' season and a huge dent in the Packers' hopes of making a deep playoff run.
#Packers edge Micah Parsons, believed to have suffered a torn ACL, finished his season with 12.5 sacks and a significant piece of one of the NFL’s best defenses. But his injury knocks him out for the end of the regular season and beyond. pic.twitter.com/iMpQjwk6Pw
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 15, 2025
Former Cowboys star Micah Parsons feared to have suffered a torn ACL
It's important to note that this is based on the preliminary evaluation. Parsons will undergo an MRI likely on Monday after the Packers return to Green Bay. There is a sliver of hope that it's not the worst-case scenario, but these initial tests are usually pretty accurate.
Even though Parsons is no longer with the Cowboys and plays for the hated Packers, Cowboys fans have to feel sick to their stomach for the 25-year-old. He was putting up another All-Pro season, ranking among the leaders in sacks, pressures, pass-rush win rate, and quarterback hits. He ranked no worse than six in any of those categories entering Week 15.
The Cowboys traded Parsons to the Packers in August in exchange for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. The trade hasn't exactly panned out for Dallas, even though the defense has performed better since Jerry Jones flipped the 2027 first-round pick obtained from the Parsons trade to acquire Jets star DT Quinnen Williams.
If the MRI confirms the worst, Parsons will have a long fight to get cleared in time for the 2026 season. Cowboys fans can attest that he will come back stronger, but you have to feel sick for the four-time Pro Bowler.
It's a sad day for the NFL.