'Not Ready Yet': Seattle Seahawks’ Pete Carroll Gives Ominous Injury Update on RT Abraham Lucas
While the first-place Seattle Seahawks could have one starter back in action this weekend along the offensive line against the Baltimore Ravens, it will be at least another week until starting right tackle Abraham Lucas returns to the practice field.
Set to miss his seventh game with a lingering knee injury, coach Pete Carroll provided a somewhat gloomy update on Lucas' status on Monday, indicating he is "not ready yet" nearly two months after receiving an injection aimed at relieving his pain. The former third-round pick out of Washington State has been on injured reserve since exiting early in the second half of a season-opening loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
“It’s just been really sensitive," Carroll said when asked if Lucas had a setback. "He’s running and doing stuff, but he’s still uncomfortable with it, it still bothers him. He’s working hard now, it’s not like he’s not working out, he’s working hard. Just not quite ready. We’re trying to alleviate the discomfort that he’s playing with. It’s just not time to put him out there yet.”
Reading through the tea leaves, Carroll seemed to be hinting at the possibility Lucas could be out for several more weeks and isn't all that close to being back on the field. The fact the second-year tackle continues to deal with discomfort isn't an encouraging development and Seattle has been proactive adding depth at the position for a reason, including getting veteran Jason Peters back into game shape on the practice squad and adding a pair of undrafted rookies in Raiqwon O'Neal and McClendon Curtis off other practice squads.
If Lucas isn't able to turn the corner soon, it's not out of the realm of possibility the Seahawks may have to consider shutting him down for the rest of the season, which would be a significant loss in the trenches.
Abraham Lucas hasn't played since Week 1 due to a knee injury and based on comments by coach Pete Carroll, the Seahawks shouldn't expect him back anytime soon.
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However, Seattle has managed to get by without Lucas to this point and over the past two weeks, third-year tackle Stone Forsythe has played quite well in his absence, looking like a natural on the right side. The 2021 sixth-round pick has yielded just three pressures and no sacks in those two contests while also contributing key blocks in the run and screen game, including springing receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a 19-yard gain in Sunday's win over the Browns.
In addition, though Carroll was mum on whether or not they would continue using the tactic, the Seahawks could employ a platoon between Forsythe and ageless wonder Peters for the foreseeable future. Jumping into the lineup for a handful of series to spell Forsythe, the 41-year old Peters made his team debut on Sunday and performed well on 26 offensive snaps, including doing a fine job protecting Geno Smith on the team's game-winning touchdown drive.
"He did very well. He moves very well, was aware of what’s going on, worked well with AB [Anthony Bradford] on that side there," Carroll said assessing Peters' performance. "He’s going to be able to play and help us. There’s a whole added dimension to Jason getting in the game. He’s been there. He’s been through it. On the sidelines, in the huddle, breaking the huddle, at the line scrimmage, he’s going to be a tremendous value to us. I’m excited about his ability to contribute to what we’re doing.”
Such a rotation could also be on tap at right guard with Phil Haynes expected to return to practice this week after missing a pair of games with a calf injury. In his place, rookie Anthony Bradford has improved each week and to keep both players fresh, Seattle may opt to give each of them snaps on game day, even considering the possibility of occasionally spelling left guard Damien Lewis.
With an NFC West crown within reach, the Seahawks will have their best chance to stay ahead of the 49ers and do damage in the postseason with a healthy Lucas in the lineup. But unlike previous seasons, thanks to superb coaching from Andy Dickerson and strong drafting by John Schneider, the team has built enough depth to withstand his absence in the event he isn't able to make it back anytime soon or misses the remainder of the season in a worst case scenario.
