Seattle Seahawks rookie tight end Nick Vannett suffered a high-ankle sprain in last Thursday’s preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Vannett was injured in the third quarter on his only catch of the game. Trevone Boykin hit Vannett for a 15-yard gain before being tackled from behind by Andrew Sendejo, who landed on his ankle.
“He’s surprisingly feeling pretty good,” head coach Pete Carroll said. “He got a pretty good sprain it looked like from all the tests, but he’s responded really well. I don’t know what that means, but the trainers are really pleased about that.”
The injury to Vannett is of note due to Jimmy Graham’s potential unavailability for the start of the regular season. If Graham isn’t ready by Seattle’s season opener against the Miami Dolphins, Vannett’s absence could leave the Seahawks thin at tight end. With just under three weeks until opening day, Vannett’s availability is now firmly in question.
Vannett, a third-round pick in May’s draft, caught two passes for 22 yards against Kansas City in Seattle’s preseason opener.