Micah Parsons just stole the Pro Bowl spotlight without even playing

Micah Parsons can't play while recovering from a torn ACL, but he refused to let that stop him from enjoying the Pro Bowl.

Parsons was one of two Green Bay Packers players selected to this year's Pro Bowl, the other being cornerback Keisean Nixon. Although he couldn't participate in the flag football game, Parsons still made an impact on what he named "Lightning McQueen."

It's the name Parsons called his motorized scooter. He was zooming around the field throughout the game, celebrating big plays, calling out the officials, and filming just about everything on his camcorder.

"I'm just trying to show guys that, even though you can be injured, understand we're still blessed," Parsons told ESPN. "Let's just bring energy. Like, we're all so blessed to be here, be around each other. These are some of the best players in the world. And I don't look past that, so I just live in the moment, be where my feet's at, and just enjoy myself."

Micah Parsons continues to make progress in recovery from ACL tear

Parsons is now almost two months removed from his season-ending ACL tear. It requires a lengthy recovery process that will likely sideline the All-Pro pass-rusher for the start of the 2026 season.

Last month, Parsons said he was "healing faster than anyone could have anticipated" from the injury.

ACL tears typically sideline players for at least nine months, which would put Parsons' potential return date at around September, even on the optimistic end. Christian Watson beat early projections in his recovery from an ACL tear, making his return 294 days after suffering the injury, which was just under 10 months. Watson tore his ACL in Week 18 of the 2024 season and returned in Week 8.

It won't be surprising if Parsons begins next season on the PUP list and pushes to return after the opening four games. We'll see. If one player could beat that timeline, it's Parsons.

For now, though, he gets to enjoy the reward for his dominant 12.5-sack season in Green Bay. And while this injury setback is frustrating, it's also temporary.

We're still thankful to Jerry Jones for sending an all-world pass-rusher to Green Bay. And just watching the videos from the Pro Bowl with "Lightning McQueen," how can anyone not love Parsons?