SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Seahawks QB Russell Wilson cleared to return from injury vs Packers

Nov 8, 2021, 10:35 AM

Seahawks QB Russell Wilson...

Seahawks QB Russell Wilson fires up his teammates before a game against the Rams at Lumen Field. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

(Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

After missing the Seahawks’ last three games due to a right middle finger injury, it looks like star quarterback Russell Wilson will be back in action when Seattle heads to Green Bay in Week 10.

Despite Seahawks sitting at 3-5, playoffs are very much still in play

The Seahawks announced Monday morning that Wilson has been cleared by Dr. Steve Shin to play Sunday against the Packers. Shin is the doctor who performed Wilson’s surgery to repair two injuries to his finger last month.

Wilson posted a hype video titled “It’s Time” on his Twitter account Monday morning, just as reports began surfacing that he was going to be cleared.

Wilson injured his right middle finger during the third quarter of the Seahawks’ Week 5 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at Seattle’s Lumen Field. During that game, Wilson’s finger connected with star Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald on a follow through of a pass attempt. Wilson received treatment on the sideline and went back out for Seattle’s next drive but remained on the sideline for the rest of the game.

Wilson underwent surgery on two injuries in his right middle finger the day after the game, and he was placed on injured reserve the following week.

Shin said that Wilson underwent surgery to repair a fracture-dislocation on one joint in the finger as well as a tendon rupture commonly referred to as “mallet finger.” Shin also called it the most severe injury to an NFL quarterback’s throwing hand that he’d ever seen, and that Wilson was the most committed player he’s ever encountered when it comes to rehabbing from a surgery to get back on the field.

Geno Smith started the last three games at quarterback for the Seahawks in Wilson’s absence, with Seattle going 1-2 in Smith’s starts to enter Week 10 at 3-5. Those were the first three games Wilson has missed in his entire NFL career, which started in 2012.

If a player is placed on injured reserve, they must be out for at least three weeks. Wilson missed three games and also had the Seahawks’ bye week, so he was cleared in four weeks, which was the earliest many said he could return based on initial reports on his injury and surgery.

In five games in 2021, Wilson has completed 72% of his passes for 1,196 yards, 10 touchdowns and one interception. His touchdown percentage (8%) is on pace to be the second-highest mark of his career while his interception percentage (0.8%) would be the lowest.

More quarterback intrigue

Wilson’s return isn’t the only big news involving quarterbacks in the Week 10 clash between the Seahawks and Packers. Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the reigning NFL MVP, is currently on the COVID-19 list.

Rodgers, who is unvaccinated, tested positive last week for the virus, and because he has not received the vaccine must be out of action for a minimum of 10 days before he’s eligible to return – and that’s only if he tests negative for COVID. The earliest Rodgers can be cleared to return is Saturday, one day prior to the game against the Seahawks. That means he will not be able to practice this week.

Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Rodgers “should be good to go” in terms of being activated on Saturday and playing on Sunday.

Clayton: Seahawks may be getting stronger while rivals have QB problems

Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft Jackson Powers-Johnson...

Brandon Gustafson

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profiles: ‘The best center’ in the 2024 class

If the Seattle Seahawks want to boost their offensive line, Brock Huard wouldn't mind if they draft Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson.

9 hours ago

Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft Payton Wilson...

Brandon Gustafson

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profile: ‘Twitched up’ LB fills a need

Next up in Brock Huard's Seattle Seahawks draft profiles is a very intriguing defender in North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson.

1 day ago

Seattle Seahawks Sam Howell...

Brandon Gustafson

New Seahawks QB Sam Howell describes trade, his role and more

The Seattle Seahawks have a new QB in Sam Howell, and he joined Brock & Salk on Wednesday to describe the trade that sent him to the Hawks.

1 day ago

Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith quarterback...

Stacy Rost

Are Seahawks really not Super Bowl contenders because of QB?

FOX Sports' Joel Klatt said the Seattle Seahawks "don't have the requisite quarterback play" to be a Super Bowl contender. Is he right?

2 days ago

Seattle Seahawks draft profile Bralen Trice UW Huskies...

Brent Stecker

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profile: Pros, cons of UW DE Bralen Trice

For Day 2 of Brock Huard's Seattle Seahawks draft profiles, the former UW Huskies quarterback when with a name from his alma mater: defensive end Bralen Trice.

2 days ago

Seattle Seahawks Geno Smith...

Brandon Gustafson

FOX Sports’ Klatt: Seahawks’ quarterbacks ‘are not the answer’

"They don't have the requisite quarterback play to do that," FOX's Joel Klatt said of the Seattle Seahawks being a Super Bowl contender.

3 days ago

Seahawks QB Russell Wilson cleared to return from injury vs Packers