Seahawks’ Russell Wilson could miss 6 weeks after finger surgery, per report
Oct 8, 2021, 3:37 PM | Updated: 4:24 pm
Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks walks off the field after losing to the Los Angeles Rams 26-17 at Lumen Field on Thursday night. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Are you ready for life without Russell Wilson? For the first time in his 10-year career with the Seahawks, it will be a reality.
Heaps: What makes Wilson’s finger injury so serious for a QB
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler tweeted Friday afternoon that the Seahawks are “bracing” for Wilson to miss a month if not 6-8 weeks with a ruptured tendon in the middle finger of his right (throwing) hand.
Sources: Seahawks are bracing for Russell Wilson to miss at least a month and possibly 6-8 weeks with his ruptured middle-finger tendon that likely requires surgery. Seattle thinking about Wilson’s long-term health. Barring an unexpectedly swift recovery, it’s Geno Smith’s show.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) October 8, 2021
Later in the afternoon, the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted the Wilson underwent surgery that used screws to stabilize his finger. He added that the surgery was “more complicated than expected,” and that Wilson has a timetable of roughly six weeks to return.
The surgery was more complicated than expected, with the need for screws complicating matters. The timetable is roughly 6 weeks, though Wilson will no doubt be determined to beat it. https://t.co/Hd5ppojiIz
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 8, 2021
Wilson flew to Los Angeles to see a specialist Friday morning after suffering the injury in a 26-17 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night at Seattle’s Lumen Field. While he played one more series after his finger collided with the hand of All-Pro Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald in the third quarter, he watched the rest of the game from the sidelines as backup quarterback Geno Smith took over for the final three Seahawks drives.
It was the first time Wilson couldn’t finish a game due to injury in his career. Now Seattle’s franchise quarterback is likely going to miss not just one game but several games for the first time.
The potential loss of Wilson comes at a particularly trying time for the Seahawks, who are 2-3 and find themselves in what is once again a very tough NFC West division.
On 710 ESPN Seattle’s Pete Carroll Show on Friday morning, the Seahawks’ head coach spoke about the difficulty Wilson had controlling the football when attempting to throw after the injury.
“The last flick comes off those two fingers right there and then that’s where the control comes from. And also the zip,” Carroll said, noting that Wilson could have played through the pain but didn’t have the effectiveness with throwing that he needed.
If Wilson does miss 6-8 weeks, it would keep him out of Seattle’s next five to seven games. The Seahawks’ bye week is in Week 9.
Six weeks would have Wilson missing five games and returning Week 12 at Washington. Eight weeks would be seven games and returning Week 14 at Houston. Wilson would be missing games vs Pitt, NO, AZ, and GB among others in that stretch. https://t.co/NPCmZ4MNHE
— Brandon Gustafson (@TheBGustafson) October 8, 2021
Wilson has completed 90 of 125 passing attempts (72%) for 1,196 yards, 10 touchdowns and one interception in five games this season. His 59.8 QB rating is 11th in the NFL.
Smith, a 2013 second-round pick and former starter for the New York Jets, has been Seattle’s backup QB since 2019. Thursday night was his first action for the Seahawks in a non-blowout situation. He completed 10 of 17 passes for 131 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
“We can do everything we can do with Russ with Geno,” Carroll said Friday on 710 ESPN Seattle. “Geno’s magnificent in understanding the system and all that, and you can tell that.”
Rost: Hawks have two serious problems – defense and Wilson’s injury
