Getty Russell Wilson could be back on the field sooner than expected.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has never missed a start during his NFL career, but the team’s postgame comments indicate the franchise is preparing for their QB1 to miss some time. Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll described the injury as a “badly sprained finger” but declined to specify a return timeline.
“This was a significant night because Russell wasn’t able to finish the second half,” Carroll said in his postgame press conference. “He’s got a badly sprained finger that we need to figure out. There’s work to be done in assessing all of that. Russell’s one of the great healers of all-time, and he’ll do whatever he can to get back as soon as absolutely possible. The other side of that, Geno [Smith] did a really good [job], very much in command. We were able to do all kinds of things with him out there. He handled out the communications beautifully out there.”
The first bad sign was Wilson’s inability to play through the injury after an attempt to throw with the hurt finger. Wilson has played through every injury he has sustained so far during his NFL career but may be sidelined this time around. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the Seahawks believe Wilson is dealing with “mallet finger” and plan to meet with a hand specialist.
“Seahawks QB Russell Wilson will have an MRI on his finger today, sources say, and then seek a consultation with hand specialist Dr. Steven Shin of Kerlan-Jobe in LA,” Rapoport tweeted on October 8. “The initial belief is he has mallet finger, essentially a sprained joint that makes it hard to flex a finger.”
Wilson underwent surgery to repair his finger with a projected return timeline of six weeks, per Rapoport.
“Seahawks QB Russell Wilson underwent surgery on his injured finger today, source said, a procedure that is expected to keep him out several weeks. Dr. Steven Shin did the procedure, stabilizing his finger with screws,” Rapoport noted on Twitter. “The surgery was more complicated than expected, with the need for screws complicating matters. The timetable is roughly 6 weeks, though Wilson will no doubt be determined to beat it.”
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Carroll on Smith: ‘We’re in Good Hands’
Russell Wilson’s fingers 😳
(via @NFLBrasil)
Carroll indicated there is no timeline for a return noting that Wilson would undergo X-rays and additional testing to determine the severity of the injury. The Seahawks coach hinted at Wilson missing time as he praised Geno Smith’s ability to handle the offense in his absence.
“I went right to Geno afterwards and just said, ‘You know you’ve been waiting a long time for your opportunity and the faith that you’ve shown in our program and us to stay with us and all that,'” Carroll explained. “And so proud that when he got in there he did great. He really looked good and he’s been working for that.
“He’s a talented football player. He knows our system. If Geno is going to play for us some as Russ comes back, he showed that we’re in good hands and I was just proud for him and the fact that he hung with us all this time and believed in being a part of this program. And then when he got his chance, he did well. That was pretty good.”
Wilson Has ‘Very Limited’ Movement in His Finger
ESPN’s Jordan Schultz reported Wilson’s finger injury is “pretty bad” with “very limited” movement. Wilson’s status for Week 6 against the Steelers and moving forward is very much in doubt.
“I’m told Russell Wilson’s finger injury is ‘pretty bad/very sore,'” Schultz tweeted. “Movement ‘very limited.’ As for Week 6 (@ Pitt) at least Russ – who’s never missed a single start – will have an extra few days to heal. It’s less PT, more resting. In other words, ZERO throwing for now.”
Rapoport described Carroll’s postgame comments as “ominous” noting that the Seahawks coach declined to rule out the possibility of surgery for Wilson. The only silver lining for the Seahawks is they have a few additional days of rest before their Sunday Night Football matchup against the Steelers on October 17.