by SEATTLE — If the Seahawks are going to reverse their recent decline in time to make the playoffs, they probably will have to do it without Tyler Lockett.
Seattle’s leading wide 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 could be that Lockett has surgery with the hope of returning at some point this season.
Carroll said the injury is a spiral fissure and is “very similar” to the tear running back Rashaad Penny sustained in training camp in 2018. Penny was injured on Aug. 13, underwent surgery two days later. and returned for the Seahawks’ September game. .9 opener.
Carroll said Lockett believes he can return in two weeks.
“There are a couple of different ways that they can do the surgery,” Carroll said. “One of the ways gives him a chance to come back. Remember Rashaad Penny…had a similar, very similar injury. So you’ve already raised that thought and you’re going to talk about all the options and all that and we’re going to love him and take care of it. Whatever we do right to take care of it, we’ll do.”
Carroll said Lockett will need surgery at some point, but wouldn’t confirm that it will be right away, saying the receiver isn’t “really excited” about that option.
The Seahawks also lost nose tackle Bryan Mone to what Carroll called a “significant” ACL injury. He didn’t have an update on linebacker Jordyn Brooks, who was sidelined in the second half with neck pain.
Lockett was hurt on Seattle’s last series, Carroll said. He finished with seven receptions for 68 yards, snapping his franchise-record streak of six consecutive games with a receiving touchdown. He leads the Seahawks with 964 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns, while his 78 receptions are one behind DK Metcalf.
Lockett, 30, has missed just two games in eight NFL seasons, one due to a broken leg in late 2016 and the other due to COVID-19 last year.
“I can’t imagine playing without Tyler,” Carroll said. “I had the opportunity to be with him, just to try to express what it’s like to work with a guy like that for so long. He’s such an amazing player. He’s not in tremendous pain. He has a broken hand. You feel sorry for him, But he’s such a terrific soccer player and a member of the team and a member of the community and our area and our fans … that he’s going to be sorely missed for whatever he misses.”
Lockett is in his first season as offensive captain.
“It sucks,” said safety Quandre Diggs, one of Lockett’s closest friends on the Seahawks. “Especially a guy like that gives it his all. The things he does for the organization, he does for this team, he’s one of the vocal leaders, he’s a captain for a reason. He’s done it for a long time. He’s someone I have a lot of respect. I’ll be there for him, of course.”
Lockett’s absence will push veteran Marquise Goodwin from No. 3 to No. 2 behind Metcalf. Carroll said second-year receiver Dee Eskridge is close to returning from the broken hand that put 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 spot outside of the NFC playoff standings, behind the Washington Commanders (7-5-1) and New York Giants (7-5-1) in the wild-card standings.
