The Seahawks’ 46-18 blowout win over the Colts on Sunday night was costly, as they lost Chris Carson to a broken leg and high ankle sprain, Rees Odhiambo to a bruised sternum, Cliff Avril to a spinal injury and Jeremy Lane to a groin injury.
The Seahawks put Carson on injured reserve — which means he will be out at least eight weeks. It also means Thomas Rawls should return to the starting role — after being inactive vs. the Colts. Mike Davis could be elevated from the practice squad to replace Carson, unless the Hawks are comfortable with Rawls, Eddie Lacy, C.J. Prosise and J.D. McKissic.
Prosise is expected to be available this week, but McKissic’s big game vs. the Colts (a rushing and receiving TD) could keep Prosise on the sideline.
Whoever carries the ball going forward might be doing so behind a new left tackle. Odhiambo reportedly suffered a cardiac contusion when he was hit on an interception return in the third quarter. Odhiambo finished the game but then reportedly collapsed in the locker room afterward and was taken to a hospital. Early word was he could be out for several weeks, but Pete Carroll said he suffered a bruised sternum, not heart, which would bode well for a quick recovery.
The Hawks still could end up starting their third left tackle this week in Los Angeles, with Matt Tobin the top candidate and Isaiah Battle another option.
As for Avril, it was clear he was having problems with the feeling in his hands after he was kicked in the chin while making a tackle. Avril returned to the game, but Carroll said, “… We are going to be really careful there to make sure we know exactly what is going on and take our time. It will take us a while to figure this out.”
The emergence of Marcus Smith shows the Hawks have some depth if Avril were to miss any time. Smith, the former first-round pick of the Eagles, was in on two sacks and forced Jacoby Brissett to fumble on one of them — Bobby Wagner returned it for a touchdown. The Seahawks also brought back Quinton Jefferson on Monday as they placed Carson on injured reserve.
At cornerback, the Hawks didn’t really miss Lane as Justin Coleman stepped up and returned an interception for a touchdown against his former New England teammate (the Patriots traded both Coleman and Brissett just before this season).
The Seahawks fortunately have the depth to withstand any of these injuries — although left tackle would remain the shakiest situation.
No one can question Odhiambo’s toughness, although you wonder how it was possible for him to get back in the game without the team doc spotting something.
I haven’t heard about anything like this since Sean Elliott beat the Blazers with one kidney.
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