Seahawks injury updates: Status of pass rush, RBs going into offseason

The Seahawks’ season may be over, but that doesn’t mean we’re out of news to report on regarding the team. That’s especially true considering the sheer amount of injuries the team suffered throughout the campaign – a number that was only added to in Sunday’s 28-23 playoff loss to the Packers.

Pete Carroll says ‘this is the start’ of something special in Seattle

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll spoke to the media in a press conference Monday afternoon and provided several updates on injured players. Let’s break down everything he addressed by position.

Defensive line

A pair of Seahawks defensive linemen are headed for surgery – one expected and one a surprise.

First is defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who dealt with a core injury for about half of the season and was expected to undergo surgery after the Seahawks’ season ended. Carroll said that surgery could happen as soon as next week.

“He’s had (core) surgery on the other side (prior in his career), and he said he wishes he had done it on both sides,” Carroll said. “He’s got to get it done in the next few days or whatever. Next week, or something like that. … It’s (a short recovery). Guys can make that back in six, seven weeks. Five, six weeks.”

The question is whether Clowney will still be with the Seahawks when he is recovered from the surgery. His contract is up, and while the franchise tag would normally be in play, Seattle reportedly told Clowney it would not use that option if he agreed to a trade from the Texans just prior to the start of the 2019 regular season. For more on Clowney’s future, read this story from 710 ESPN Seattle’s Pete Carroll Show on Monday morning.

Now on to the surprise. That would be defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson, who Carroll said will need surgery for a foot injury that knocked him out of Sunday’s game.

“I think he broke his foot. I think it’s the bone on the outside of his foot. He’s going to have to have surgery on that,” Carroll said.

Running back

While it was anything but good news that the Seahawks lost their top three running backs in the span of three games late in the season, there’s optimism about the season-ending hip injury No. 1 tailback Chris Carson.

“Chris doesn’t have to do any rehab right now. He’s not having surgery and all that,” Carroll said of Seattle’s two-time 1,000-yard rusher. “He’s just got to get through it and stay off it for a while. He’s a fantastic workout warrior. He’ll come roaring back.”

The recovery of No. 2 back Rashaad Penny, who was in the midst of a breakout run of games before suffering a particularly disastrous knee injury, could linger up to training camp.

“I think Rashaad is challenged more because he’s got the full rehab that he’s got to go through,” Carroll said. “… He’s got six or seven months ahead of him that are going to be really challenging.”

Even so, Carroll’s trademark optimism was present regarding Penny’s status.

“He’s doing great. He’s ahead of schedule already,” Carroll said. “They’re really excited about the progress that he’s making. … He’s really determined, his attitude is great about it. He’s planning on making it back and getting ready to play.”

Third-string running back C.J. Prosise, who was lost for the season in Week 16 with an arm injury, is set to enter free agency for the first time.

Offensive line

Justin Britt was one of the big losses for the Seahawks during the season with an ACL injury, and he is another player that will need to take time with his recovery.

“I saw him the other day, he said he is making really good progress. He’s been around a lot,” Carroll said. “He’s very active in here, so we know that he’s working hard at it. He should be able to get back on normal schedule. After you get about five or six months into it, you have to kind of figure out what’s going on. So, I don’t know how that’s going to turn for him.”

Britt is set to make a base salary of $8.25 million in 2020, per spotrac.com, and that combined with the status of his knee will make him an interesting player to watch leading up to next season as he could be a candidate to be released as a salary cap casualty.

His replacement at center, Joey Hunt, is also dealing with an injury.

“He’s had a stress fracture for weeks and weeks that he just endured,” Carroll said. “These guys are amazing. It means so much to them. They’ll go to such extents and lengths to give themselves a chance to play.”

Linebacker

Mychal Kendricks, who will be a free agent, was lost to an ACL tear in Week 17. He’s not the only Seahawks linebacker dealing with something, however. Carroll revealed Pro Bowler Bobby Wagner has an injury, though he did not disclose what it is.

“He found out today that there was something that he didn’t know about, we didn’t even know it was there,” Carroll said. “He had a little test done, I don’t think it is going to require surgery or anything like that. He didn’t even know he was hurt. Sometimes that happens.”

Tight end

Finally we get to Will Dissly, who was playing at a Pro Bowl level before an Achilles tear ended his year just six weeks in. It was the second time in as many pro seasons that the former UW Huskies tight end suffered a tear early in the season that ended his campaign – in 2018, it was a torn patellar tendon suffered in Week 4.

Carroll relayed on KIRO Radio 97.3 FM less than a week after Dissly’s injury that his surgery was successful and “minimally invasive,” and the optimism about the promising pass-catcher continued Monday.

“He’s killing it. He’s killing the rehab. Will is doing great,” Carroll said. “He’s spending some time down in LA to get right, and he’s really fired up about the people that he’s working with and the progress he’s making. He’s been around a lot. He’ll get it done. Will will get it done. There’s no question he will. But, it’s a long process, it’s going to be some tough work for him.”

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