Seahawks QB Russell Wilson cleared to return from injury vs Packers

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.

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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.

.@DangeRussWilson has been cleared for a full return. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/MzuEA1SjJt

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) November 8, 2021

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.

It’s Time. pic.twitter.com/DVdHxn9hos

— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) November 8, 2021

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.

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