Quinton Dunbar to have season-ending knee surgery

A week ago, Quinton Dunbar’s status seemed to be trending up, with the cornerback apparently nearing a return. That was short lived, with Pete Carroll saying Wednesday that Dunbar would remain on injured reserve and have season-ending knee surgery.

The procedure, which is to “fix” his knee, per Carroll, ends a strange and disappointing season for Dunbar. The former Washington cornerback, acquired via trade in the offseason, started six games for the Seahawks, totaling five pass breakups and an interception. However, even in his starts, Dunbar was in and out of games because of his knee. In his final start, against the Bills, Dunbar was eventually pulled after hobbling through a rough outing.

With Dunbar out for the season, one of the breakout performers in recent weeks, D.J. Reed, will have an even greater opportunity to hang on to the right cornerback spot he has taken control of in recent weeks.

Dunbar will now enter free agency after a difficult calendar year and try to secure a new deal ahead of his age-29 season.