BRADY HENDERSON

Seahawks’ K.J. Wright to have surgery on broken foot

Dec 9, 2013, 12:42 PM | Updated: 9:13 pm

LISTEN:

By Brady Henderson

Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright is expected to miss the rest of the regular season and a portion of the playoffs after sustaining a foot injury during Seattle’s loss to the 49ers on Sunday.

That was the word from coach Pete Carroll, who told 710 ESPN Seattle’s “Brock and Danny” Monday that Wright will soon undergo surgery to place a screw in the broken bone in his right foot.

f1d644b1-e4d2-4172-9a54-6273ac7d1916
K.J. Wright was having the most productive season of his career before breaking a bone in his foot Sunday. (AP)

“We’re going to try to operate on him as soon as possible,” Carroll said, adding that the surgery will likely sideline Wright for four to six weeks. That timetable would put Wright on track to return – at the earliest – some time after the wild-card round of the playoffs, though Carroll noted that a four-week recovery period is the absolute minimum for the injury.

Wright was having the most productive season of his career and coming off one of his finest games as a pro before sustaining the injury. Carroll said he took the news hard when he was told by the team’s medical staff about the severity.

“He was as emotionally as you can get, and he lost it a little bit down there when they told him what they thought it was, and they were right,” Carroll said. “Anyways, we move ahead. That’s how that goes. It’s unfortunate. He’s had a great season. He’s been a huge factor to us.”

Wright wrote on his Twitter account Sunday night that he hopes to be back in time for the playoffs.

His injury will be the latest test of the depth on Seattle’s defense, which has played at times this season without one of its best pass rushers (Chris Clemons), its middle linebacker (Bobby Wagner) and two cornerbacks (Brandon Browner and Walter Thurmond).

Malcolm Smith more than capably filled in for Wagner earlier this season and he made four tackles – including one for a loss – after replacing Wright on Sunday. O’Brien Schofield has played both “Leo” defensive end and strong-side linebacker this season, and Carroll said he will do more of the latter in light of Wright’s injury.

“We have a starter in O’Brien, so that’s good to have him ready to go in case we need to do something else,” Carroll said.

Seahawks will wait and see on Unger



More coverage of the Seahawks’ Week-14 loss to San Francisco at Candlestick Park.


Recap | Stats | Photos | Postgame interviews
O’Neil: What We Learned
O’Neil: Seahawks get an important reminder
O’Neil: Should Seahawks have let 49ers score?
Henderson: Late-game lapse dooms Seahawks
Henderson: Seahawks’ penalties loom large

Carroll said the team will know more later this week about the prognosis for center Max Unger, who left Sunday’s game in the second half after sustaining a pectoral strain.

“We know what it is, we’ve just got to see how it responds during the week,” Carroll said. “It’s something that one of our guys has had before, played with it. So we’ll find out how it is particularly for him … That will take us all the way through the week.”

Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson played through a torn pectoral muscle in 2011, missing one game after the injury and then playing in the remaining 10.

Lemuel Jeanpierre, who has started three games this season in place of Unger, finished Sunday’s game once Unger was injured.

Note

• Carroll didn’t have an injury update on WR Percy Harvin, other than to say the team hopes he can practice Wednesday.

Follow Brady Henderson on Twitter @BradyHenderson.

Brock and Salk podcast

Brady Henderson

Rees Odhiambo, a 2016 third-round pick, will compete with Matt Tobin to start at left tackle. (AP)...

Brady Henderson

Tom Cable: Rees Odhiambo, Matt Tobin are Seahawks’ preferred LT options

Tom Cable brought a bit of clarity to the Seahawks' plans at left tackle in the wake of George Fant's season-ending knee injury, saying Tuesday that Rees Odhiambo and newcomer Matt Tobin are the top two options.

7 years ago

Left tackle George Fant suffered an injury in the first half of Friday's preseason game. (AP)...

Brady Henderson

Seahawks injury updates: George Fant set for surgery, K.J. Wright returns

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Monday that left tackle George Fant is expected to be back by next season from the knee injury that will sideline him in 2017.

7 years ago

Matt Tobin, 27, started 21 games over seasons with the Eagles. (AP)...

Brady Henderson

Seahawks acquire OL Matt Tobin in trade with Eagles

The Seahawks have acquired offensive tackle Matt Tobin in a trade with the Eagles, making another move to shore up their offensive line after losing left tackle George Fant for the season.

7 years ago

Luke Joeckel played left tackle for his first three NFL seasons. (AP)...

Brady Henderson

Luke Joeckel? Rees Odhiambo? A look at the Seahawks’ LT options with George Fant out for the season

The Seahawks need a new plan at left tackle with George Fant out for the season. Moving Luke Joeckel there is one option, writes Brady Henderson.

7 years ago

Michael Bennett on Justin Britt standing by his side during the national anthem Friday night: “I ...

Brady Henderson

Justin Britt stands by Michael Bennett during national anthem: ‘A very emotional moment’

Seahawks center Justin Britt showed his support for teammate Michael Bennett Friday night, standing by him as Bennett remained seated during the national anthem.

7 years ago

Left tackle George Fant suffered an injury in the first half of Friday's preseason game. (AP)...

Brady Henderson

Seahawks’ George Fant needs ACL surgery, likely out for season

The Seahawks' offensive line was dealt a massive blow with left tackle George Fant suffering a knee injury Friday night that will likely keep him out all season.

7 years ago

Seahawks’ K.J. Wright to have surgery on broken foot