The Latest on Seattle Seahawks WR Tory Horton's Injury

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald has kept things close to the vest about Tory Horton's injury, but there's reason to speculate more is there.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton runs a route during the first training camp. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Seattle Seahawks have already been tested at the wide receiver position in recent days thanks to the Jake Bobo season-ending injury.

That loss, by itself, wouldn’t really do much to hurt the team, but he’s not the only wounded backup receiver on this team. Tory Horton hasn’t practiced recently, and head coach Mike Macdonald acknowledged he’s working through something on Thursday.

What We Know About Tory Horton's Injury

Other than that fact, however, Macdonald kept things quiet. He offered no timetable, or even what’s injured. His secretive nature is understandable, given how things work in the NFL, but is nevertheless frustrating for us fans who might not be sure what to think. Is this just something minor that should be cleared up by the regular season, or something far more serious?

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) catches a touchdown pass as Washington Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil (0) watches. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Tory Horton had a cracked tibia last season, which cost him the second half of the year and even some offseason work. That injury was also rather mysterious, starting out as something minor before eventually turning into an ordeal spanning several months. We didn’t get a full picture of what was even going on until fairly recently, in fact. So, we might fear the worst.

Testing Receiver Depth

The Horton situation combined with Bobo’s injury creates something of a concern at the position as we head towards the regular season. The loss of one player might be just an annoyance, but both? Now you’re pushing into uncomfortable territory. The good news is the Seahawks should be a team that is light at receiver since they use a lot of tight ends and a fullback.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) catches a touchdown pass against Carolina Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson (26). | Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

But if Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, or Cooper Kupp get banged up at any point this season, now you’re giving significant snaps to a player who doesn’t have the upside or trust in getting the job done. Let’s assume, for a moment, that Horton will be missing significant time. Who can the Seahawks turn to as the first wideout off the bench?

Options to Fill In

The hot name in Seattle right now when it comes to backup wideouts is Montorie Foster Jr, who is having a big training camp and had a good first preseason game. I could see him being the one who gets reps in the event of an emergency. Cody White might be the recipient of opportunities as well, given his experience.

Michigan defensive back Jyaire Hill tackles Michigan State wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The special teams side is worth considering as well, as Bobo and Horton both have significant contributions there. Emmanuel Henderson Jr, a sixth round pick four months ago, was a big special teamer at Kansas, and Irv Charles was a wizard on coverage teams in New York before injuries halted his career. There are options, but hopefully, Horton is back soon.

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