After narrowly escaping the Miami Dolphins in Week 1, the Seahawks could be facing the Los Angeles Rams without star quarterback Russell Wilson, who suffered an ankle sprain Sunday.
In a Week 1 slate largely defined by backups taking the reins from proven stars, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was one of the scarce few constants that made the whole NFL landscape feel at least somewhat stable — albeit in spite of a lackluster 12-10 home win over the Miami Dolphins.
Fast-forward 16 hours later, and it seems the injury bug might’ve finally found its way to Seattle’s steel-sturdy star (per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport):
#Seahawks QB Russell Wilson shrugged it off, but I'm told his sprained ankle is significant. It puts his availability vs #Rams into question
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 12, 2016
Calling it a sprain is being pretty generous to Ndamukong Suh, who appeared to leverage his knee to throw all 307 of his pounds right on top of Wilson’s ankle. It’s not the first time Suh’s name has been attached to dirty tactics, of course, but that’s a post for another time.
Whether or not Russell Wilson can go this Sunday vs. #Rams, expect #Seahawks to pick up another QB. Likely a veteran option.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 12, 2016
#Seahawks QB Russell Wilson’s practice week will be fluid. This week will test this: He has never missed a practice or game snap for injury
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 12, 2016
That last note is pretty incredible. In four seasons, Russell Wilson hasn’t missed so much as a single practice snap. Three times last week I had to call an Uber to help get me to work because a corn on my foot was sore. This is not something I’m proud of, but I did give every driver five stars.
Anyway, should Wilson be sidelined, expect undrafted rookie (and former Texas Christian University standout) Trevone Boykin to step in for next Sunday’s tilt against the new-look Rams. Unless Pete Carroll deems it necessary to wrangle himself a serviceable replacement, that is.
Assuming Wilson’s injury lingers longer than expected (unlikely, but by no means impossible), Mike Vick could make an intriguing stopgap solution, why with his Wilson-esque escape-ability and decade-plus of NFL experience.
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It’s obviously far too early for ‘Hawks fans to get their No. 12 jerseys in a bunch, particularly given Wilson’s history of gritting through twists and tweaks. But with a win in the column and a lowly Rams offense on the docket, it might be wise for all sides to have Wilson sit one out. At the very least, you’ll get a closer look at what, if anything, Boykin has to offer.