:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/13604009/158038039.0.jpg)
Seahawks tight end Anthony McCoy, carted off the field with what was called an ankle injury at OTAs earlier this week, has a torn achilles tendon and will now miss six to nine months. He had surgery on Thursday.
Per Ian Rapoport, the achilles injury was a partial tear, which, from what I understand, is preferable with regards to rehab and the process toward eventually regaining full strength.
McCoy had 18 catches for 291 yards and 3 touchdowns last season, and his 16.2 yards per catch is no surprise - in what seemed like the majority of the times he was targeted, he was wide open downfield, with room to run, due to defensive breakdowns and mismatches. He was used in two tight end sets extensively and his main role was as a versatile run blocker that could also get downfield in a hurry on play-action.
The Seahawks have six other tight ends on their roster - starter Zach Miller, rookie draft pick Luke Willson, Sean McGrath, Cooper Helfet, Victor Marshall, and Darren Fells. McCoy's likely replacement is Willson - who, from reports, has shown an ability to block in-line (which is very important in Seattle's offense) but also has excellent speed and hands downfield. McCoy, perhaps surprisingly to some, played in 46% of Seattle's offensive snaps in 2012, so he had a fairly significant role.
Past the unproven Willson, I'd say that Sean McGrath has a good chance of becoming the team's #3 TE - he saw action toward the end of the season last year and was on the active roster for two games and the Playoffs. Darren Fells is another intriguing prospect because of his immense size - at 6'7, 280, if he can learn to block quickly enough, he might be a logical replacement for McCoy in the lineup.
Regardless - huge bummer for McCoy, who enters (and will likely miss) his contract year. The 4th year player has been one of my 'sleeper' breakout picks the past two seasons, and while he played well in 2012, I had thought he could make another nice jump in production in 2013. The Hawks will now have to test more of their depth, and keep an eye on roster cutdowns across the league.
McCoy is the second Seahawk to suffer a major injury this offseason, joining DT/DE Greg Scruggs, who suffered a torn ACL a few months ago, prior to the Draft.