Seattle Seahawks Rule Out Russell Wilson, Chris Carson For Week 6 Battle vs. Steelers

The Seahawks will face the Steelers in Pittsburgh without officially ruling out two of their best offensive players with quarterback Russell Wilson and running back Chris Carson.

After undergoing surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right middle finger last Friday, Wilson’s absence was expected, despite being listed as restricted in Thursday’s practice report. His streak of 165 straight starts, including 149 straight season games, will officially end with Geno Smith in the line-up as his replacement under Center.

Coach Pete Carroll says the Seahawks are expected to put Wilson on the injured reserve before this weekend, which guarantees he’ll miss at least the next three games before he can return.

“We’re planning on him going on IR and I don’t mind telling you that,” Carroll confirmed on Friday.

If Wilson moves to the injured reserve, the star quarterback won’t be able to play again until week 10 against the Packers at Lambeau Field. Either Jake Luton or Danny Etling could be removed from the practice team to fill his squad spot and serve as a substitute for Smith for the next three games.

Unlike Wilson, Seattle hoped Carson would be able to play after missing the Los Angeles Rams last week with a neck injury. Carroll stated earlier this week that the veteran runner had made a “big turn” in his recovery and expected to train on Thursday, but he was not seen on the field and did not participate during the media-accessible warm-ups .

While Carroll reiterated that Carson had turned the corner in terms of pain management, he just wasn’t ready to play again.

“He made a really good jump over the weekend and felt a lot better, but when he came out and started working again there wasn’t enough progress,” said Carroll. “It’s better for us to get him back and make sure we don’t rush it so let’s just take this time – it’s a tricky thing, he’s got something on the back of his neck – so we have to do it.” Sure we do it really good. We’ll take care of him. “

Dealing with what Carroll called a “long-term” neck problem a week ago, there may now be compelling reasons for concern about Carson’s future availability. When asked if he could end up on an injured reservation like Wilson, to give him extra time to recover, he said they are “considering” the possibility.

Just like a week ago with Carson’s failure, Alex Collins will start in his absence for a second game in a row with DeeJay Dallas and Travis Homer as backups in the backcourt. Beyond that week, Carroll said Rashaad Penny should be ready to be activated from the injured reserve next week to add insurance to the position.

Along with Wilson and Carson, the Seahawks will also be without reserve swing tackle Cedric Ogbuehi, who appeared in Thursday’s injury report addressing recurring biceps / chest problems. He opened the season as an injured reserve due to a similar injury before activating in Week 4.

Without Ogbuehi, Seattle should have Jamarco Jones and undrafted rookie Jake Curhan as reserves behind starters Duane Brown and Brandon Shell.

If the Seahawks’ final injury report has a silver lining, no player has been given questionable or dubious designations, including recipient DK Metcalf and linebacker Bobby Wagner. Although Wagner skipped training on Wednesday with a bruised knee, he was restricted on Thursday and should be ready to roll. Metcalf, despite being out on Thursday with a persistent foot problem, will start against the Steelers.

Seattle should also have linebacker Darrell Taylor, who was restricted in training this week due to an ankle sprain, and guard Damien Lewis, who missed training on Wednesday and was restricted on Thursday due to an illness.