Sources – Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has injured finger surgery, could miss 4-8 weeks

Seattle Seahawks are bracing for quarterback Russell Wilson to miss at least a month and possibly up to eight weeks with a ruptured middle finger tendon in his right hand, sources told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

Wilson underwent surgery on Friday.

He flew from Seattle to Los Angeles earlier today to meet with a hand specialist after injuring his middle finger in his throwing hand Thursday night in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

The decision to have surgery was made with Wilson’s long-term health in mind, sources told Fowler. It will put him on the sidelines for the first time in his NFL career when the Seahawks face the Pittsburgh Steelers next Sunday night, ending his streak of 149 straight starts.

And that will force the Seahawks (2-3) – already two losses behind the Rams and Arizona Cardinals in NFC West – to look to Geno Smith for their playoff hopes.

Speaking to reporters and on his weekly radio show Friday morning, coach Pete Carroll said he wouldn’t know how much time Wilson might have to miss before meeting with the hand specialist, and he would not discuss also not the results of the x-rays Wilson had after the game. .

“But there’s something going on,” Carroll said. “There is definitely something going on and we need to figure out what the extent of it is and what the next step is.”

Wilson’s streak of 149 straight starts is the longest for an active quarterback. According to Elias Sports Bureau, only Peyton Manning (208) started more straight games to start his quarterback career since the 1970 merger.

Wilson suffered notable injuries, including a sprained ankle and an MCL sprain in 2016. But Carroll said “everyone was together” Thursday night in the decision to insert Smith once it became clear that Wilson couldn’t grab the ball well enough to throw this. Carroll insisted on Friday that the problem wasn’t pain management.

“No one should question his tenacity,” he said. “No one should question his determination. If he could have thrown a soccer ball and held on to it, he would have. Anyone who says otherwise doesn’t know what he is talking about. So you can face it. all kinds of things with your hands and you can still kick the soccer ball, and he tried last night and didn’t … have control of the ball. So if he could, he would have. “

Wilson was injured in the third quarter when his hand hit Aaron Donald’s arm as he was throwing a deep throw. The show showed Wilson’s fingertip curved abnormally downward. He was examined for several minutes on the sidelines by the Seahawks’ team medic and members of their athletic training team, who watched Wilson hold a soccer ball and then bandaged his finger.

Wilson returned for a streak, throwing a short pass on a three-and-out, then was replaced by Smith for the remainder of the game.

Smith gave Seattle hope with a touchdown pass to DK Metcalf, closing a 98-yard run in which he went 5 for 5. He was intercepted on a Tyler Lockett pitch, which fell, for almost. seal the victory of the Rams. Smith finished 10 of 17 for 132 yards.

“I thought Geno did a wonderful job last night,” Carroll said. “Geno has been training with us all this time and waiting for his opportunity if he is called. The patience he has with us and staying with her and his relationship with Russ and the coaches, he has been impeccable. And when he came out, he executed as best he can. He’s a very talented football player. He has a good arm, he has great sense and he knows the system very well. “

The Seahawks’ defense, already ranked last in the NFL before Week 5, gave the Rams 476 yards.

Their next four games will be in Pittsburgh (1-3) on October 17, against the New Orleans Saints (2-2) on October 25, against the Jacksonville Jaguars (0-4) on October 31 and at the Green Bay Packers ( 3-1) on November 14 after the Seattle break.

“I’m totally confident that Geno can do it and I think you saw him last night in a really tough situation – hurry up, all that stuff, he was really good at it,” Carroll said. “He really understands the system so we can stay in the preparation and that will help everyone. Geno makes the guys around him feel confident and comfortable and I thought it was a great performance.”

Smith, 30, is in his third season with Seattle. Prior to Thursday, his only action with the Seahawks was in cleaning service. His last start was in 2017 with the New York Giants.

Carroll said Smith has the lineup to excel as a backup quarterback despite rarely having reps.

“It’s not the makeup that Geno would like to be proud of – which I’m really good at backing up – because everyone wants to be a good starter and I’ve always talked to him like that, that he is and that’s what that he will be when the time comes, “Carroll said.” So now he’s going to have a chance and I’m thrilled for him. “