SEAHAWKS
Thomas out for season
RENTON, Wash. — It was one thing for the Seattle Seahawks to know they would be without safety Earl Thomas for one game, maybe two.
Now that the former All-Pro safety is done for the rest of the 2016 season — no matter how far Seattle may advance in the playoffs — the Seahawks are facing a new reality for the rest of this year that doesn’t include arguably their most important defensive player.
“I don’t think you’re going to replace Earl Thomas. He’s a very unique player. But he’s very quiet. He’s not a guy who adds a whole lot on the vocal side. He does it with his play,” Seattle Coach Pete Carroll said Monday. “Earl is Earl.”
The Seahawks now know the earliest they will see Thomas back on the field is the 2017 season after he suffered a broken lower left leg in Sunday’s 40-7 victory over Carolina. While there was an initial thought that Thomas could return if the Seahawks made a deep run in the playoffs, Carroll said further examination on Monday determined the recovery for the fractured tibia is too extensive for the star safety to make it back this season.
It’s a crushing injury to the player that makes Seattle’s defense function perhaps more than any other. And while Steven Terrell is a solid replacement with experience in Seattle’s system and one start already this season, he’s not Thomas, Carroll said.
Thomas was injured in the second quarter of the blowout victory, colliding with teammate Kam Chancellor as each tried to intercept a pass from Carolina quarterback Cam Newton. It was a violent and high-speed collision that Carroll said Monday also left Chancellor a little banged up.
It’s the first major injury of Thomas’ career and the emotional safety immediately became reflective, tweeting during the game that he was contemplating retirement.
BEARS
Cutler put on IR
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The Chicago Bears have placed quarterback Jay Cutler on injured reserve because of a season-ending right shoulder injury.
The Bears announced the move Monday. Coach John Fox said last week that Cutler would not play again this season.
Cutler injured his shoulder during a loss to the New York Giants on Nov. 20, but finished the game. He made five starts this season and completed 81 of 137 passes for 1,059 yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions.
Because he doesn’t have a high salary-cap figure for 2017, Cutler could be traded or cut in the offseason.
Matt Barkley has started the past two games for Chicago (3-9), including Sunday’s victory over San Francisco.
The Bears also signed defensive back Johnthan Banks and waived linebacker Lamin Barrow from injured reserve Monday.
BRONCOS
Forsett, Kubiak reunite
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Running back Justin Forsett is reuniting with Gary Kubiak in Denver.
The Broncos claimed the Forsett, 31, off waivers from Detroit to replace Kapri Bibbs, who went on injured reserve with a high left ankle sprain.
Over his career, Forsett has averaged 5.5 yards a carry in Kubiak’s offenses and 4.4 yards elsewhere.
With Kubiak as his offensive coordinator, Forsett set career highs with 235 carries for 1,266 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2014. He averaged a career-best 5.9 yards a carry for Kubiak in Houston in 2012.
Forsett averaged 3.1 yards per carry in five games this season, three with the Baltimore Ravens and two with the Detroit Lions.
BILLS
Harvin out again
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Percy Harvin’s comeback lasted just two games after the Buffalo Bills placed the receiver on the season-ending, nonfootball-illness list because of migraine headaches.
The team announced the roster move Monday, a day after Harvin missed his second consecutive game since he began experiencing headaches. The move comes a month since the Bills lured the receiver out of retirement.
Harvin appeared in two games this season and finished with 2 catches for 6 yards, plus an 11-yard run.
REDSKINS
2 players concussed
LANDOVER, Md. — Washington Redskins safety Will Blackmon and center Spencer Long are going through the NFL’s concussion protocol after being injured in a loss Sunday to the Arizona Cardinals.
Coach Jay Gruden announced their statuses on a conference call with reporters Monday.
Blackmon’s departure from Washington’s 31-23 loss at Arizona meant more duty for Duke Ihenacho in the secondary. Long’s departure prompted the Redskins debut of veteran center John Sullivan.
DOLPHINS
Alonso has surgery
DAVIE, Fla. — Miami Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso has undergone surgery to repair a broken right thumb, but Coach Adam Gase said he may be available to play this Sunday against Arizona.
Alonso was hurt in Sunday’s 38-6 loss at Baltimore. He left the game but returned playing with a cast.
Alonso, who leads Miami with 59 tackles and four fumble recoveries, has also been slowed by a sore hamstring. The Dolphins’ injury-hampered defense has allowed 475 and 496 yards in the past two games.
VIKINGS
Zimmer to return
Minnesota Vikings Coach Mike Zimmer has resumed coaching and is expected to travel to Jacksonville, Fla. for Sunday’s game, the team announced Monday.
Zimmer, 60, who missed his first NFL game last Thursday due to emergency eye surgery, will address reporters Wednesday during his regularly scheduled news conference.
He’s expected to join the team flight on the trip to Jacksonville, Fla.
Zimmer is back to work three days after he reportedly underwent a fourth operation Friday after a follow-up appointment. The coach first had surgery on Nov. 1 after saying he scratched his eye in the Oct. 31 loss in Chicago.