The Seattle Seahawks are currently holding their breath. The team was expected to have one of the best wide receiving corps in the NFL after they signed Percy Harvin to a six-year, $67 million contract. However, Harvin is officially injured with surgery likely and $25.5 million of that contract is guaranteed money. So naturally, Seattle is a little nervous.
Harvin was able to practice on and off during offseason workouts. However, he is starting training camp on the physically unable to perform list. It was discovered in an MRI that Harvin has a "slight tear" in his labrum on his hip, CBS Sports reports.. While the overall severity of the injury has not been disclosed, Harvin could likely miss a length period of time. Head coach Pete Carroll is not liking the odds.
"Harvin has a hip issue that we are dealing with that came up during his workout over the summer and we are trying to figure it out," Carroll said. "We are doing everything we can to make the right decision and help him and take care of him in every way. He was working out a week ago you know, going full speed. But it was bothering him enough and we took some looks at it and we're going to try to figure out the right procedures and take care of him and get him back on the field."
Harvin is expected to get a second opinion on his injury to discover exactly the right step to take in recovery. With the Super Bowl being the ultimate goal for the team that showed a world of potential last season, Harvin missing time is not a good sign. Carroll says the team needs more information before they can make an action plan.
The good news for Seattle is they have plenty of options if Harvin is not ready to go. It is likely that in his absence, Golden Tate, Doug Baldwin and Sidney Rice stand the best shot at getting plenty of playing time. The issue is if Harvin does have surgery, his season is over. In a division that includes the surging San Francisco 49ers, the Seahawks are in trouble.
The hip injury is just another chapter in the book of injuries Harvin has suffered. He landed on injured reserve last season after hurting his ankle. He has also suffered migraine headaches for most of his career, limiting his playing time. Carroll had once referred to the Harvin trade as a slam dunk, but it might not turn out that way.