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Brady HendersonESPN
SEATTLE — If the Seahawks are going to turn their last slide in time to reach the playoffs, they will likely have to do it without Tyler Lockett.
Seattle’s leading receiver broke a bone in his index finger late in the team’s 21-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night. The team is still trying to determine the best course of action, coach Pete Carroll said, and it’s possible Lockett is having surgery in hopes of making a comeback at some point this season.
Carroll said the injury was a spiral fracture and it was “very similar” to the break Rashaad Penny had in training camp in 2018. Penny was injured on August 13, had surgery two days later and returned for the Seahawks in September. .9 opener.
Carroll said Lockett was confident he could be back in two weeks.
“There are several different ways to do surgery,” says Carroll. “One way to give him the chance to come back. Remember Rashaad Penny…had a similar injury, very similar. So they’ve had those thoughts out and they’re going to talk about all the options and all that and we’re going to love him and look after him. Whatever the right thing is to do to take care of him, we’ll do it.”
Carroll said Lockett would need surgery at some point but did not confirm it would be soon, saying the recipient was not “really excited” about the option.
The Seahawks also lost nose tackle Bryan Mone due to what Carroll called a “significant” ACL injury. He had no updates on quarterback Jordyn Brooks, who was withdrawn from play in the second half with a sore neck.
Lockett was injured on the last trip to Seattle, Carroll said. He finished with seven catches for 68 yards, breaking his franchise record of six straight games with a receiving touchdown. He led the Seahawks with 964 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns, while his 78 catches were one behind DK Metcalf.
Lockett, 30, has missed just two games in eight NFL seasons, one with a broken leg in late 2016 and the other due to COVID-19 last year.
“I couldn’t imagine playing without Tyler,” Carroll said. “I got the chance to hang out with him, just to try to put into words what it’s like to work with a guy like this for so long. He’s an amazing player. He’s not in a lot of pain. He broke his hand. You feel sorry for him, but he’s an amazing footballer and our team members and our community and area members and our fans… so we will miss him for whatever he missed.
Lockett was in his first season as offensive captain.
“It sucks,” said security Quandre Diggs, one of Lockett’s closest friends at the Seahawks. “Especially someone like that gives everything. The things he’s done for the organization, he’s done for this team, he’s one of the vocal leaders, he’s captain for a reason. He’s done it for a long time. He’s someone I respect a lot. I will always be there for him, of course.”
Lockett’s absence will push veteran Marquise Goodwin from the No.3 role to the No.2 behind Metcalf. Carroll said second-year receiver Dee Eskridge is close to returning from a broken hand that left him on injured reserve. He is eligible to return next week.
The 49ers’ win clinched the NFC West and handed the Seahawks their fourth loss in five games after a 6-3 start. They are currently one place off the NFC playoff table, behind the Washington Commanders (7-5-1) and New York Giants (7-5-1) in wild card seeding.
