Report: Seahawks’ Tyler Lockett uncertain to return this season

After Pete Carroll confirmed Lockett suffered a broken index finger during the Seahawks’ loss to the 49ers on Thursday night, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport notes the injury will sideline the longtime starter for at least two games. Lockett is not a lock to return this season, representing a blow the team has not had to navigate previously.

Attached to his third Seahawks contract — a four-year, $69M deal — Lockett has missed one game due to injury. That came back in 2016. His other absence, last season, came due to COVID-19. Lockett has been a constant for Russell Wilson and now Geno Smith, but the sliding Seahawks (7-7) will need to turn to other options alongside D.K. Metcalf going forward.

Carroll said Lockett likely suffered the spiral metacarpal crack while trying to make a catch during Seattle’s final drive. Lockett will undergo surgery, and while the notoriously optimistic Carroll said there were multiple options regarding an operation — including one that could allow Lockett to play again this season — the 30-year-old target had not determined which route he would go here.

If Lockett is shut down, he will fall just short of a fourth 1,000-yard receiving season. The second-generation NFL wideout is sitting on a team-leading 964 yards and eight touchdowns, seeing his six-game TD streak come to an end against San Francisco. After leading the way as the Seahawks transitioned following Doug Baldwin‘s retirement, Lockett has been a considerable aid to Smith’s surprising season.

The Seahawks have Marquise Goodwin positioned to see his role expand because of Lockett’s injury. Given a one-year deal worth the league minimum, Goodwin sits third among Seahawks wideout production this season. The former Olympic long jumper has 27 catches for 387 yards and three touchdowns. Former second-round pick Dee Eskridge is on IR and has just seven catches for 58 yards 10 games into his second season.