2:53 a.m. ET
Brady Henderson ESPN
SEATTLE — If the Seahawks want to turn their recent slide in time to make the playoffs, they’ll likely have to do it without Tyler Lockett.
Seattle’s lead receiver broke a bone in his index finger late in the team’s 21-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night. The team is still trying to determine the best course of action, coach Pete Carroll said, and it could be Lockett undergoing surgery with hopes of returning sometime this season.
Carroll said the injury was a spiral tear and “very similar” to the break Rashaad Penny suffered in training camp in 2018 at 9 Openers.
Carroll said Lockett believed he could return in two weeks.
“There are a few different ways they can do the surgery,” Carroll said. “One of the ways gives him a chance to be back. Remember, Rashaad Penny…had a similar, very similar injury. So you’ve already floated that thought and you’re going to talk about all the options and all that and we’re going to love him and take care of him. Whatever the right thing to do to take care of him, we will do it.
2 relatives
Carroll said Lockett will eventually need surgery, but didn’t confirm it will be right away, saying the recipient wasn’t “really excited” about the option.
The Seahawks also lost nose tackle Bryan Mone to what Carroll called a “substantial” ACL injury. He had no update on linebacker Jordyn Brooks, who was pulled out of the game in the second half because of a neck pain.
Lockett was injured on Seattle’s last ride, Carroll said. He finished with seven catches for 68 yards and broke his franchise-record streak of six straight games with a receiving touchdown. He leads the Seahawks with 964 yards and eight touchdowns while his 78 catches are one behind DK Metcalf.
Lockett, 30, has missed just two games in eight NFL seasons, one due to a broken leg in late 2016 and the other due to COVID-19 last year.
“I can’t imagine playing without Tyler,” Carroll said. “I had a chance to hang out with him just to express what it’s like to work with a guy like that for so long. He’s such an incredible player. He’s not in a lot of pain. He’s got a broken hand Sorry for him but he’s such a great footballer and a member of the team and a member of the community and our area and our fans… that we will be fucking missing him for everything he misses.
Lockett is in his first season as an offensive captain.
“It sucks,” said safety Quandre Diggs, one of Lockett’s closest friends with the Seahawks. “Especially a guy like that gives everything. The things he does for the organization, he does for this team, he’s one of the voice leaders, he’s a captain for a reason. He has done it for a long time. He’s someone I have a hell of a lot of respect for. Of course I will be there for him.
Lockett’s absence will push veteran Marquise Goodwin from No. 3 to No. 2 behind Metcalf. Carroll said sophomore Dee Eskridge is close to returning from the broken hand that put him on injured reserve. He is eligible to return next week.
The 49ers’ win secured NFC West and handed the Seahawks their fourth loss in five games after a 6-3 start. They are currently one spot behind NFC playoff standings behind the Washington Commanders (7-5-1) and New York Giants (7-5-1) in wildcard suspension.