The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Seahawks’ Thomas out with broken leg
Star safety sidelined for rest of season after injury in win.
The Seattle Seahawks will be without safety Earl Thomas for the rest of the season due to his broken lower left leg, no matter how far the team advances in the playoffs.
Coach Pete Carroll said Monday that further examination determined Thomas’ fractured left tibia will require a recovery time that does not allow for the possibility of a return during the 2016 season. Carroll said after Sunday’s 40-7 win over Carolina that Thomas’ injury usually takes a minimum of six weeks of recovery time.
It’s the first major injury of Thomas’ career. He played 106 straight games before missing Seattle’s loss at Tampa Bay last week with a hamstring injury. He quickly recovered to play against the Panthers, but was hurt in a second-quarter collision with teammate Kam Chancellor going for an interception.
“You can’t make up for it,” defensive end Michael Bennett said. “You just try to find some others who can do half of what he does.”
Thomas collided with teammate Kam Chancellor as both attempted to intercept a pass.
Seattle will rely on Steven Terrell to fill Thomas’ role as the center fielder patrolling the back of the defense. Terrell has played well in his limited opportunities.
Vikings: Coach Mike Zimmer returned to work and is expected to travel with the team to Jacksonville a little bit more than a week after an emergency operation to repair a detached retina.
Assistant Mike Priefer ran the team in Zimmer’s absence. Zimmer had two surgeries on his right eye about a month ago, but his recovery was sidetracked last Wednesday when he developed vision trouble during practice and was sent for surgery that night. He reportedly had a fourth procedure on Friday.
Redskins: Safety Will Blackmon and center Spencer Long are going through the NFL’s concussion protocol after being injured in the loss to Arizona.
Blackmon’s departure meant more duty for Duke Ihenacho. Long’s injury opened the door for the Redskins debut of veteran center John Sullivan.
If Long is unable to play Sunday at Philadelphia, the team might bring in a backup center.
Bills: Percy Harvin’s comeback lasted just two games after Buffalo placed the receiver on the season-ending reserve-non-football-illness list because of migraines.
The team announced the roster move a day after Harvin missed his second consecutive game since he began experiencing headaches. The move comes a month since the Bills lured the receiver out of retirement.
Harvin appeared in two games this and finished with two catches for 6 yards.
Bears: Quarterback Jay Cutler went on injured reserve with a right shoulder injury. Matt Barkley has started the past two games for Chicago, including Sunday’s win over San Francisco.
Titans: Rookie linebacker Kevin Dodd will go on injured reserve and will have his right foot re-evaluated after being scratched the past two games. The 33rd pick overall out of Clemson had not been on the injury report but had surgery on the foot in late May.
Broncos: Running Back Justin Forsett was claimed off waivers from Detroit to replace Kapri Bibbs, who went on IR with a high left ankle sprain he suffered in the win at Jacksonville.
Dolphins: Linebacker Kiko Alonso had surgery to repair a broken right thumb, but coach Adam Gase said he may be available to play Sunday against Arizona.