The Seahawks hoped that a bye week could cure their injury woes, but the most impactful injured player on the team is now out for the season.
Seahawks coach Jim Mora announced Wednesday (via Danny O’Neil on Twitter) that left tackle Walter Jones will be placed on injured reserve. The move is not a surprise, but the Seahawks clearly held out some hope that Jones could return this season or he would have been placed on I.R. more quickly.
There has been speculation that Jones’ career could be over. The likely future Hall of Famer said in July that he’ll consider retirement after this season, and his difficulties recovering from microfracture surgery have been well documented.
Seahawks coach Jim Mora wasn’t ready to say Jones is done yet. “It is too early for a career eulogy. . . . We just need to shut him down and reevaluate.”
Jones is due $7.2 million in base salary next season. With Jones’ backup Sean Locklear also likely out this week, newly signed tackle Damion McIntosh is likely to start at left tackle. Seattle’s line was overwhelmed during the team’s last game against the Cardinals.