Salk: Will Seahawks reach limit with C.J. Prosise’s injuries?

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll announced Wednesday that running back C.J. Prosise has a “significant” ankle injury, which marks the young running back’s sixth injury in his career with Seattle. Now, 710 ESPN Seattle’s Mike Salk wonders whether the Seahawks coaching staff – not unlike coaching staffs on other NFL teams — will ever reach a limit in their tolerance for players who are frequently injured, specifically Prosise.

Seahawks’ Week 4 injury updates

In addition to this week’s ankle injury, Prosise has sustained injuries to his hand, shoulder blade, hamstring, hip and groin. His status for this week is currently uncertain. It’s disappointing news for a running back who played his best game of the season last Sunday, racking up 65 yards on three catches and another 9 yards rushing.

“I found myself thinking about other players like (Prosise) over the years,” Salk said Thursday. “Sometimes even when it’s not their fault, coaches get sick of it. Do you remember David Givens?”

In a four-year career with the Patriots, former wide receiver David Givens had 158 catches for 2,214 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was part of two Super Bowl-winning squads in 2003 and 2004, and had two or more touchdown catches in both championships. After signing with the Titans, however, Givens saw his career derailed with a series of knee injuries, and Tennessee ultimately released the burgeoning star.

Players dealing with injuries in a violent sport face no shortage of criticism. It’s something Prosise’s teammate, wide receiver Paul Richardson, pointed out during 710 ESPN Seattle’s The Huddle last week.

“You having to deal with the injury is one thing,” Richardson said. “But then people are on you about your injury as if you asked for it to happen or as if you did it on purpose and hold it against you, which kind of makes no sense.”

Salk acknowledged Richardson’s point, but added that regardless of raw talent or ability, availability is one of the most important qualities a player can possess. Further, it’s one of the most important qualities a young player still trying to prove himself can possess.

“At some point one of the players we’re talking about has to be better than the position they were drafted,” Salk said of the players drafted post-2014. “That doesn’t mean every fifth rounder has to be a superstar, but you’re waiting for someone to pop and be better than the spot they were drafted in. Chris Carson looks like he may be that. But C.J. Prosise, you’re a third round pick, you expect more; Jarran Reed, you’re a good player but you’re a second round pick who everyone thought could have been a first-rounder, where is that moment of popping?

“We’ve seen flashes, but ultimately Richard Sherman doesn’t miss games. Kam Chancellor is a superstar; Earl Thomas is a superstar. And unfortunately, this is kind of a knock against Prosise. Because he’s got the ability to exceed his value – but he hasn’t done it.”