Atlanta Falcons MNF: Earl Thomas to play, Chancellor questionable for Seattle
Free safety Earl Thomas is expected to return for the Seahawks in Week 11 to play the Atlanta Falcons after missing the last two games with a hamstring injury.
The Seattle Seahawks have been dealing with injuries throughout this season but have somehow made it to Week 11 with a 6-3 record. The injury that has hit them the hardest was the loss of all-pro cornerback Richard Sherman to a ruptured achilles in the team’s 22-16 win at Arizona in Week 10. While he surely won’t play against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, another member of the “Legion of Boom” should be ready to suit up.
Free safety Earl Thomas missed the last two games with a hamstring strain but is expected to return this week, according to Curtis Crabtree of Pro Football Talk. Strong safety Kam Chancellor is in jeopardy of missing the Seahawks’ Monday night football game vs Atlanta due to what’s being called “a stinger.”
Seahawks’ head coach Pete Carroll is not rushing Chancellor back at all. He said that the team will run more tests and see if he can return this week but is not trying to aggravate this injury.
"“We”ll find out,” Carroll said in an interview with ESPN 710 in Seattle via Curtis Crabtree of Pro Football Talk. “We don’t know yet. He had a stinger thing that happened during the game and we’re going to have to make sure he’s in good shape and he’s OK. Don’t know right now. He’s going to get some tests and make sure. This is stuff that is so crucial that we do a really good job and take our time with and all that. We’re doing that.”"
The loss of Sherman for the season puts the Seahawks at an even bigger disadvantage vs the Falcons’ offense. In Atlanta’s divisional playoff win over the Seahawks in January, Seattle had all of their secondary available except for Earl Thomas. Atlanta’s receivers were able to have their way with the Seattle secondary as wide receiver Julio Jones had six receptions for 67 yards for one touchdown, Taylor Gabriel had four receptions for 71 yards, and running back Devonta Freeman was also able to pitch in four receptions for 80 yards.
Next: Falcons first takes: Week 10
With the Seahawks’ Legion of Boom secondary not at 100 percent and with Chancellor and Sherman being out, Atlanta’s explosive offense may have their way with them again. Seattle signed former Seahawks corner Byron Maxwell earlier this week to help assists with their injuries in the secondary but Maxwell has not shown glimpses of his impressive LOB days during his recent stints with the Eagles and Dolphins.