Russell Wilson Injury: Seattle Seahawks Starter In Jeopardy Of Missing First Start Ever

The Seattle Seahawks lost more than just a game in the NFC West standings Thursday night. Russell Wilson was forced to exit the team’s 26-17 defeat against the Los Angeles Rams early, and there is doubt about his status for next week.

Wilson injured the middle finger on his throwing hand when it slammed against Aaron Donald’s arm as he attempted a downfield pass. The tip of the finger appeared to be dislocated, and Wilson was only able to play one more series before he was replaced by Geno Smith.

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll called Wilson’s injury a “badly sprained finger” and didn’t know if it would require surgery,

"There is a lot of work to be done in assessing all of that," Carroll told reporters in regard to a timetable for Wilson’s return. "Russell is one of the great healers of all time, and he'll do whatever he can to get back as soon as absolutely possible."

Seattle’s next game is scheduled for Oct. 17 on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Wilson has never missed a game in his NFL career since being drafted by the Seahawks in 2012. Thursday marked the first time in four years that he even missed a play because of an injury.

Smith completed 10 of 17 passes for 131 yards in Wilson’s absence, and he even led a 98-yard touchdown drive when he entered the game. Smith also threw an interception that sealed a Rams’ victory.

Seattle can’t afford to be without Wilson for long. Wilson is their best player and leads the league with a 125.3 passer rating. Smith is a journeyman backup quarterback who hasn’t started a game in four years.

Thursday’s loss dropped the Seahawks to last place in the NFC West. Seattle is 2.5 games behind the Arizona Cardinals, the NFL’s only remaining undefeated team. The NFC West is widely viewed as the best division in the conference, if not the entire league.

Wilson has a career 100-48-1 record and has posted a winning record in every season.