Seattle Seahawks Free Safety Earl Thomas Suffers Hamstring Strain, Status for Week Nine Game Unclear
Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas didn't return to the field after he suffered a hamstring strain in the fourth quarter of their thrilling 41–38 victory over the Houston Texans last Sunday, but he probably won't let the injury keep him out of their game against the Washington Redskins on Nov. 5.
During an appearance on 710 ESPN Seattle's "Brock and Salk" talk show, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll confirmed that Thomas has a "slight pull" of his right hamstring. However, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport has reported that he's considered a "long-shot" to play on Sunday.
Thomas pulled his hamstring while he was chasing down Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins on a long touchdown catch, and fifth-year safety Bradley McDougald came in to replace the five-time Pro Bowler on the Seahawks' final two defensive possessions.
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McDougald should get the start at free safety if Thomas isn't available against the Redskins. But if Thomas had his way, he'll probably play on Sunday. Carroll even joked that they had to steal his helmet to prevent him from returning to the game last Sunday.
However, the Seahawks' coach has noted they won't know if he's going to be healthy enough to suit up this Sunday until later this week.
"He's OK. He's a little sore. We looked at it and he's got a strain that we are going to figure out, maybe in the lower level of the degrees of it. And we won't know, we won't know until later in the week," Carroll stated, via The News Tribune.
"You saw his nature; his nature is to go back out and play, which he plans on doing. But we will take good care of him, figure it out. It will just be some days before we know," he continued.
The four-time first-team All-Pro free safety started all seven games for the Seahawks this season. However, he has had to sit out several practices this season due to a knee injury.
