Injuries are one thing that teams dread but must, on some level, take into consideration for each upcoming season. Injuries will happen each year, whether it is in the off-season, preseason, or regular season. But what injuries could affect a team’s chance to reach the playoffs the most?
Below we consider the injuries that could sideline the Seattle Seahawks season.
Major Injuries That Would Hurt the Seattle Seahawks the Most in 2016
Jimmy Graham
Tight end Jimmy Graham suffered a season-ending injury when he tore his right patellar tendon in Week 12 of the 2015 season against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Seven months after sustaining the injury, Graham is progressing well and is prepared to start the 2016 season. When injuries occur there is always the question of potential re-injury. Other tight ends on the roster include Luke Willson, Cooper Helfet, and rookie Nick Vannett, along with a few others, but the Seahawks would be in trouble without their star tight end.
Thomas Rawls
Thomas Rawls is expected to be the primary running back for the Seahawks ahead of Christine Michael and four rookies, including C.J. Prosise and Zac Brooks. Rawls took over midseason for the injured Marshawn Lynch (sports hernia), but ended up being sidelined with a season-ending fracture to his ankle. With Lynch now retired, will Rawls step up to the plate in 2016 or will his injury affect his performance? Seattle could certainly use him in the backfield.
Michael Bennett
Defensive end Michael Bennett has been lucky enough to have never suffered a major injury. He has suffered from minor injuries including those to his groin, quadriceps, toe and ankle. Bennett is a big part of the Seahawks stellar defense, and an injury could hinder Seattle’s chance of being the best in the league again.
Richard Sherman
Richard Sherman is one the best corners in the National Football League. Other than Sherman, the Seahawks depth at corner is just average. The former Stanford Cardinal has suffered from minor injuries to his ankle, elbow, and hip. Defensive back is one of the most important positions on defense, and those who play it are expected to play a large part in stopping the opposing team’s passing game. Few do it better than Sherman.
Russell Wilson
Russell Wilson has surprisingly stayed healthy during his four-year career, especially considering how many times he has been sacked in a season. Quarterback is probably the worst position to see an injury occur.
Kam Chancellor
Kam Chancellor suffered an injury to his tailbone in Week 14 against the Baltimore Ravens that caused him to be out for a couple weeks. He made his return in the Wild Card round of the playoffs against the Minnesota Vikings. Without the hard-hitting strong safety, the Legion of Boom just isn’t the same.
Bobby Wagner
Bobby Wagner suffered from a few injuries last year, including his ankle, his pectoral, and also his toe during the season before last. Wagner is one of the best linebackers in the game, and the defense would sorely miss him.
Doug Baldwin
Doug Baldwin, the best receiver on the Seahawks, suffered from a variety of minor injuries last season. An injury to Baldwin might not affect the Seahawks as it would other positions because of their depth at receiver, but he is still a significant playmaker.
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