Seahawks John Carlson to miss season

Published on August 31, 2011 by Seahawks.Com News (Feed)     

With incumbent starter John Carlson scheduled for season-ending shoulder surgery, the addition of Pro Bowl tight end Zach Miller in free agency looms even larger for the Seahawks.

The recent acquisition of Zach Miller suddenly looks even better than when the Seahawks signed the Pro Bowl tight end four weeks ago.

That’s due to the fact that incumbent starter John Carlson will miss the 2011 season because he needs surgery to repair a torn labrum. Coach Pete Carroll made the somber announcement Tuesday afternoon following the team’s practice.

“It’s disappointing,” Carroll said. “Because John had a great start to camp. He was rocking and rolling and those two guys out there together looked really good.”

Carlson damaged the shoulder in practice on Aug. 13 while diving for a pass. It was hoped that he would be able to rehab the injury and play this season. But tests done Monday revealed that surgery is necessary.

When the Seahawks signed Miller in free agency, they envisioned the former Oakland Raider and Carlson being used in tandem to create matchup problems for opposing defenses in the passing game and also help a running game that ranked 31st in the league last season.

“We were really counting on this,” Carroll said. “We were so excited about having Zach and John play together. Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen now.”

Carlson, a second-round draft choice in 2008, holds the franchise records at the position for receptions (55 in 2008), receiving yards (627 in 2008) and touchdown catches (seven in 2009). Miller averaged 61 receptions and 756 receiving yards the past three seasons for the Raiders, including 60 for 685 and a career-high five TDs last season when he was voted to the AFC Pro Bowl team.

via Carlson to miss season.

Tags: coach pete carroll, Draft Choice, Franchise Records, Incumbent, John Carlson, Oakland Raider, Passing Game, pro bowl, Raiders, Receiving Yards, Receptions, Running Game, Seahawks, Shoulder Surgery, three seasons, Tight End, Torn Labrum, Tuesday Afternoon, Two Guys, Zach Miller