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Seattle Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright is having his knee scoped this week, as was reported earlier on Monday. The surgery has the Pro Bowl outside linebacker out indefinitely — meaning he could miss a week and be ready for the Denver Broncos in the season opener, or he could be out much longer if the news turns out to be quite bad. We should know more soon, but head coach Pete Carroll was certainly aware of some goings on after the Minnesota Vikings game on Friday, so should he have notified the public earlier? Our own John Fraley certainly thinks so.
Hearing about an injury multiple days after it happens is hard on the fans. It’s hardest on the injured player. He is the player. He suffered the injury. It’s his body. But underreporting injuries is a cheap shot at fans’ hope. It’s something Pete Carroll should be ashamed of.
— John Fraley (@johndavidfraley) August 27, 2018
Well obviously nobody knows. But the team said nothing postgame or the next day, giving fans the wrong impression about the state of the team. It’s the preseason. No need to play games with opponents. (Yes I know how that sounds, intentionally, smiley face.)
— John Fraley (@johndavidfraley) August 27, 2018
Some of the best teams are notorious for it! I just think it’s a bit of a disservice to fans. He said selfishly.
— John Fraley (@johndavidfraley) August 27, 2018
I’m not sure if I agree with John, if only because I’m not sure what Carroll or the team knew after the game and if they thought it was going to turn out to be a bigger problem that required a scope. I also don’t know if strategically it’s smarter for teams to keep these things quiet until absolutely necessary. I’m also not even sure if it’s doing a favor to Wright — a free agent in 2019 — to try and keep any injury a secret until it turns to the point where they can no longer try and hide that he’s missing practices and possibly a game; I’m sure Wright doesn’t want teams to think he’s got knee issues now. The Seahawks know first hand that there can heavy penalties for keeping injuries a secret, and eventually it had to be said.
But should it have been said earlier? I leave it up to you to discuss and vote.