Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane said he’s ready to play this week against the Arizona Cardinals if called upon.
Lane returned to practice for the first time this week since suffering a broken arm and torn ACL in the Super Bowl in February. After spending nine weeks on the physically unable to perform list, Lane was able to begin practicing this week.
“I feel good. I feel like I’ve been ready a couple weeks ago,” Lane said on Wednesday.
Lane was injured after intercepting New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady at the goal line. Lane broke his arm bracing himself on the return while being tackled by Julian Edelman in the first quarter. Lane suffered a compound fracture of his left forearm that required immediate surgery.
Lane’s arm became infected and required a second surgery to clean out the afflicted area as well. His arm now bears a massive scar that he covers up every day.
“It makes me mad and happy at the same time,” Lane said of when he looks at the scars. “It was such a big play and such a sad moment just like that.”
“It brings back bad memories.”
He didn’t even know he also tore his ACL until much later.
Lane said his knee didn’t feel right in the weeks following the game but they thought it might just be a bone bruise.
“I (thought) maybe you’re right because my walk started getting better,” Lane said. “Then on down the line I was like, no, something’s not right.”
Instead, he was shopping at the grocery store when his knee buckled and he decided to get it looked at again. The ACL injury was found in the subsequent exam.
Lane could be a big boost to Seattle’s defense and special teams. He’s a trusted option as a nickel cornerback and has been one of the gunners used on punt coverage in past seasons. With Ricardo Lockette out for the season due to a neck injury, Lane could take over his role as gunner moving forward.
Head coach Pete Carroll wouldn’t rule out the possibility of Lane playing this week but said they’ll take it slow.
“He could play this weekend, but is it the right thing to do? That’s what we’re trying to figure out,” Carroll said.