Seahawks Injuries: Carson likely out for year, Brown to get knee surgery
Dec 22, 2019, 5:57 PM | Updated: 6:58 pm
Seahawks RB Chris Carson is likely done for the season with a hip injury. (Getty)
(Getty)
The Seahawks were already severely banged up heading into Sunday’s contest with the Arizona Cardinals, but they left even more injured after the 27-13 loss at home. Head coach Pete Carroll announced after the game that star running back Chris Carson is likely done for the rest of the season with a hip injury.
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Carson left the game in the second quarter and never returned. He was initially deemed questionable to return with the hip injury but was later ruled out.
After the game, Carroll said Seattle would be without both Carson and second-string running back C.J. Prosise, who broke his arm against the Cardinals, going forward.
“Chris and C.J. both got hurt and they … are out,” Carroll said after the game. “We’ve got to get to scrambling and (Seahawks general manager John Schneider) has to get to work and figure out what we’re doing next.”
The depth at running back was already being tested because second-year back Rashaad Penny tore his ACL two weeks prior against the Los Angeles Rams. Penny had flashed some promise before the injury, compiling over 100 total yards in back-to-back games.
Carson was still the lead back, however, rushing for over 1,000 rushing yards for the second straight year. He is a key piece of a Seattle offense that loves to run the football.
Carson’s injury is similar to what caused safety Lano Hill to miss time late last season and in the offseason. Carroll has reason to believe Carson has played his last snap of the season.
“I don’t have that definitively, but my guys are telling me yes, they’re saying that it looks like that,” Carroll said when asked if Carson’s injury was season-ending. “We’ll get the tests back tomorrow.”
In the second half against Arizona, rookie running back Travis Homer assumed the lead back role in the place of Carson and Prosise. He had 16 yards on five carries as well as a team-leading six catches for 26 yards.
“That’s a lot of game for Homer to have to play by himself, so obviously we’ll make some moves here to figure some stuff out,” Carroll said.
Carroll did say he thought Homer played well in his first extended offensive action of his young career.
“He worked his tail off today,” Carroll said. “He had to carry the whole load as well as (his special teams duties) … so he did a great job to get through the game.”
Something that also hurt the offense was the absence of left tackle Duane Brown, who missed the game with a knee injury. He was initially questionable to play but was ruled out on Saturday. Carroll said Brown has a chance to return this season but will be getting surgery on Monday.
“He needs to get his knee fixed,” Carroll said. “He tried like crazy to get through it this week and just couldn’t. He did everything he could during the week and couldn’t get it to quiet down. He just needs to get his knee cleaned up. It’s not a major surgery but (with) the discomfort, he just can’t play.”
The Seahawks have running back Xavier Turner on the practice squad, and it’s believed he will be activated to the 53-man roster at some point this week. As Carroll mentioned, the team will likely bring in another running back. The team recently had workouts with former Seahawks back Robert Turbin and veteran Alfred Blue, though neither were signed.
Next up for the Seahawks is a Sunday night showdown with the San Francisco 49ers. A Seattle win would give them a 12-4 record and the NFC West crown, as well as a shot at a first-round playoff bye.
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