Cliff Avril will have up to eight more weeks to contemplate his playing future as soon as the Seahawks place him on the injured reserve list. But even though his neck injury has caused many to speculate that, at 31, he seems a candidate for retirement, word came Thursday that Avril would like to return this season.
Via Greg Bishop of si.com, Avril indicated he’s not done yet.
Spoke to Cliff Avril for a project and he’s NOT considering retirement. He’s getting numerous medical opinions but plans to return.
— Greg Bishop (@GregBishopSI) October 19, 2017
If so, that would be good news for Avril and Seahawks. But coach Pete Carroll reiterated Thursday after practice that no decisions are likely to be made soon.
“That’s really up to the doctors and Cliff,” he said. “I’m 1,000 percent supportive of whatever we need to do here to help him. That’s why we’re taking our time; the IR thing gives him six weeks, at least, to figure out whatever else we can figure out.”
Since Carroll was deliberately vague about the nature of the injury that happened against the Colts Oct. 1 — “I’m not officially telling you, because I don’t officially know. He has concerns, but I don’t know the medical part of it, even though I saw the X-rays” — no information is available about the risks of returning to play.
Speaking of returning to play, several Seahawks who have been out or limited in practice look as if they will be on the field at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey when the Seahawks play the Giants at 1:25 p.m. PT Sunday (CBS).
Among them: Three defensive linemen — Quinton Jefferson (hand), Nazair Jones (knee) and Marcus Smith (ankle) — will play, restoring depth after Avril’s absence. Also likely to return are RB C.J. Prosise (ankle) and CB Jeremy Lane (groin), who were full participants in Thursday’s practice before Friday’s flight.
DE Michael Bennett made it through practice despite a right foot injured in the 16-10 win over the Rams.
“He practiced today, made it through,” Carroll said. “He’s a little sore, but he looks like he’s ready to go.”
A decision has been made on a replacement at left guard for Luke Joeckel, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery during the bye week and will be out at least a month. But Carroll isn’t saying whether it’s veteran Mark Glowinski or rookie Ethan Pocic.
Bad as the Seahawks line problems have been, the Giants have been through five starting line combinations in their 1-5 start, thanks mostly to injuries. The Giants stunned the Denver Broncos 23-10 Monday night by going to a ground-heavy attack that limited Giants QB Eli Manning to 19 passes and 128 yards.
But he was still sacked three times despite the quick passing game to help take pressure off the line. Expect the Seahawks to get after Manning with garrisons and battalions of pressure.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="2236063 https://sportspressnw.wpengine.com/?p=2236063">4 Comments
Sounds like mostly positives for the Hawks, Art.
Two wounded O-lines, two stout running games, two good defenses. Should be interesting . . .
Frank Clark needs to tell reporters after the gamer what kind of breath mint Eli Manning uses.
Prosise is exciting to watch. It will be fun to see him play three or four downs.
His upside has been seen only in the Pats game last year. Carroll is desperate for a replication.