Seattle coach Pete Carroll said Tuesday afternoon that the Notre Dame product had a torn labrum that required surgery, which means that Carlson is likely headed to the season-ending injured reserve list.
Carlson played in Seattle’s opening exhibition game at San Diego, but hasn’t practiced since Aug. 13.
The Seahawks signed Zach Miller in free agency with the idea that both he and Carlson would be on the field at the same time.
But with Carlson likely out, Seattle will lean on its depth at the position, including USC products Anthony McCoy and Dominique Byrd. Both have played well in exhibition play.
McCoy and Byrd are tied for second on the team with seven receptions each, and McCoy leads the team with two touchdowns.
Seattle also has Cameron Morrah, who is rehabbing a toe injury and is currently on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.
“We were so excited about having Zach and John playing together,” Carroll said. “And unfortunately that’s not going to happen now. ... It’s disappointing because John had a great start to camp. He was rockin’ and rollin’, and those two guys out there together looked really good.
“But fortunately our tight ends have really played well. Anthony has done a good job, and Dominique Byrd has done exceedingly well catching the football and getting open.
“We’re certainly going to miss John.”
Carlson is in the final year of his rookie deal that will pay him a base salary of $620,500. He will be a free agent in 2012, but his options could be limited because he will be coming off an injury.
Carlson, 27, set the franchise, single-season record for receptions by a tight end his rookie season, leading Seattle with 55 catches for 627 yards and five touchdowns.
His second season he set a franchise record for touchdown catches by a tight end with seven, and finished with 51 receptions for 574 yards.
But last year Carlson suffered a drop in production, finishing with 31 receptions for 318 yards and one touchdown. Because of Seattle’s struggles on the offensive line, Carlson was asked to stay in and block more in 2010.
A STATUE FOR WALTER
Now you can see former Seahawks tackle Walter Jones whenever you want.
You just have to make a trip to Sea-Tac Airport.
The Seahawks held an unveiling for the 8-foot bronze statue of the former standout tackle.
The statue is in front of the team’s new restaurant at the north terminal of the airport called the Seattle Seahawks 12 Club – named after Seahawks 12th Man.
The restaurant is a joint venture between the Seahawks and HMSHost, a dining and shopping company for travel venues.
Jones’ likeness is in full pads, ready to block an oncoming pass rusher.
“It’s cool,” Jones said after the unveiling, sharing a moment with his children, twins Walterius and Waleria.
“You go around to a lot of the airports and you see a lot of athletes being honored in the airports. So for me to be honored in Seattle is a great feeling.”
EXTRA POINTS
Carroll said offensive tackle Russell Okung is close to returning from his left ankle injury, but likely will not play against Oakland on Friday. Okung again was a limited participant in practice, working in some individual drills and against air in team drills. ... Carroll confirmed that the team had a visit with veteran center Andre Gurode, recently released by Dallas because he wouldn’t agree to a pay cut. ... WR Sidney Rice got a little banged up in practice and had his shoulder treated with ice, the same shoulder that kept him out of the first exhibition game at San Diego. ... WR Ben Obomanu had to leave practice as a precautionary measure after he hit his head on the ground. ... S Josh Pinkard (knee) did not practice, and neither did WR Isaiah Stanback (hamstring). Carroll said RB Marshawn Lynch (ankle) and LB David Hawthorne (knee), who both did not practice Tuesday, will not play against Oakland on Friday. LB Aaron Curry (knee) and S Kam Chancellor (foot) also did not practice. ... The Hawks cut defensive tackle Jay Alford and safety Rickey Thenarse to get the roster down to 80.
Eric D. Williams: 253-597-8437 eric.williams@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks
