Seatte faces challenge in replacing Sherman

Seattle — In the grand scheme of what the Seattle Seahawks are trying to accomplish this season, a failed physical could end up becoming a huge benefit.

The Seahawks began taking inventory of their injury situation Friday, a day after a brutal 22-16 victory over Arizona kept Seattle on the heels of the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC West at 6-3. Yes, it was an important win. It was also a costly victory after cornerback Richard Sherman was lost for the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon in his right leg.

Sherman first injured the tendon a month ago against the Rams and it finally popped against the Cardinals. After never missing a game in his career due to injury, Sherman will now be a spectator the rest of the way.

That's where a failed physical suddenly becomes so important. Cornerback Jeremy Lane was supposed to be a member of the Houston Texans at this point after being included in the trade where Seattle acquired left tackle Duane Brown. Except the trade had to be modified after Lane failed his physical with the Texans and returned to the Seahawks.

Lane will now play a significant role in how the Seahawks move forward without Sherman. Rather than having to scramble to find a veteran on the open market or put undersized nickel cornerback Justin Coleman in an unfamiliar role, the Seahawks can lean on Lane and his experience playing on the outside as Sherman's replacement.

Lane was the starter opposite Sherman when the season began. Eventually, rookie Shaquill Griffin took Lane's spot, precipitating the trade. But now it'll be Lane, Griffin and Coleman as the primary cornerbacks.

“If it was anything I could play with, I would be out there,” Sherman said. “J-Lane, (Coleman) and the rook, Shaq (Griffin), they are all capable, and they will do a great job. I will stay in the room and make sure they get all the coaching points and give them everything I got.”

Sherman represents the second major loss this season for Seattle's defense. Cliff Avril is on injured reserve with a neck injury suffered in Week 4.