/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44388006/460762790.0.jpg)
Seahawks have several injuries in win over Arizona
The Seahawks didn't escape from their blowout win in Arizona scott-free, suffering a few injuries that could affect depth charts going forward. WR Jermaine Kearse hurt his hamstring and took himself out of the game, and Tharold Simon had what appeared to be a shoulder pop out of its socket with only 15 seconds left in the game.
Per Carroll on 710ESPN this morning, Kearse "felt his hamstring, didn't feel the big pop that guys feel, but he shut down before that happened."
Carroll added that the timeframe for return is murky, but generally speaking it's not something you can rush back from. "We'll have to wait and see," he said, "but that's really touch-and-go to get back in a week's time there."
So, expect that Kearse will be out this week against the Rams, and possibly longer. In his place, I'd guess that Ricardo Lockette and Kevin Norwood will have a chance to log a few more snaps, as will Paul Richardson.
As for Tharold Simon, his status is definitely still a question mark. Will he be able to get back this season? "I don't know that. (We're going to) see how he responds," Carroll said. "I don't know that he's ever had that before. Sometimes when guys have had it before it's a little easier for them to come back, but we'll see what happens."
There are varying levels of injury when it comes to these dislocations -- some guys are able to play through it, some guys are not -- so really we just have to wait and see, as Carroll said, as to how he responds. There is a solid chance it's season ending, though, which would really be unfortunate especially in that the injury happened on a meaningless garbage play - the final play of the game. In Tharold's place, I'd expect Jeremy Lane and Marcus Burley to get a little more playing time in nickel and dime looks. The depth at corner would obviously take a hit though, and Simon has been playing very well.
Relief on the OL?
Russell Okung is expected to practice on Wednesday with the goal of returning this weekend against the Rams. He suffered a bruised lung against the Niners on an interception return by Eric Reid. Max Unger, still ailing from a high ankle sprain, is more of a question mark.
"Talking with Max on the plane last night," said Carroll, "he's going to try to get through it. He'll do whatever he can to get out there this week knowing that if we can get a win we'll have a week off. All of that could be of great advantage. But we'll have to wait and see. We've seen a lot of high ankle sprains that take six to eight weeks. That's kinda the way we used to see it, but there's been a number of guys that have made it through quicker, so it's really frustrating for Max. He's got one of those long-term ones, so we don't know. We'll wait and see."
Other injuries:
Carroll mentioned before the game this week that Demarcus Dobbs is close to returning, and will be back this season. That will be a nice boost for the defensive line, and the special teams groups. Will Tukuafu has been taking a few snaps in his place, and he's done well with it, but I think the Seahawks really like what Dobbs brings.
Cooper Helfet got banged up in the game -- bruised ribs -- so we'll have to see how he does in returning from that. It's likely just pain management for Helfet. Meanwhile, Tony Moeaki was listed as questionable this last week, which tells me that he's somewhat close to getting back after suffering a shoulder injury vs. the Niners. The status of these two tight ends will be something to watch closely this week.
Chris Matthews hurt his hamstring in practice last week so he's likely in the same boat as Jermaine Kearse. No telling how quickly he'll be able to return.