Percy Harvin injury: Seahawks WR could be available for playoffs

Carroll didn’t offer much information on Harvin’s return in recent weeks, going so far to sound pessimistic about the chances he could play. Reports Sunday indicated Harvin would be placed on injured reserve with a hip injury he underwent surgery for earlier in the year.

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Harvin has been out of the lineup the entire season save one game, all because of a hip that will not cooperate. He is still expected to be able to contribute come the playoffs, but thus far Harvin has been nothing more than a dream for Seattle fans.

The speedy wide receiver/kick returner has had a long history of injuries. In his five-year career, Harvin has only suited up for all 16 games once, back in 2011. The Virginia native has played in 10 combined games over the last two seasons, struggling to get and stay healthy.

Early estimates had Harvin possibly returning by Week 12 at the earliest, Harvin appears to be well ahead of schedule and could certainly be back on the field after the Seahawks bye in Week 7. The veteran receiver is currently rehabbing in New York, with the team previously taking the stance they will be more than careful with not rushing Harvin before he’s ready.

“I can’t put my hand on a Bible as we speak and say, ‘Yeah, he’s going to play next week’,” said one source, according to La Canfora. “But there’s certainly a chance.”

Harvin underwent the surgery at the beginning of training camp and hasn’t practiced since then. The Seahawks sent him to New York to continue rehabbing the hip. He’s currently on the regular season PUP list, making him ineligible for the first six games of the season.

Per the PUP rules, Harvin is eligible to start practicing after Week 6. Once he’s cleared to practice, the Seahawks will have a three-week window to either place him on the active roster or shut him down for the season. The latest deadline to put him on the 53-man roster is Week 15.

Harvin is expected to miss most of the 2013 season with a lengthy rehab session. Carroll remains optimistic that he can come back late in the season, although he still won’t give any firm timetable on Harvin’s recovery:

Harvin is currently on the PUP list and expected to miss 3-4 months, which would put his return date sometime in late November or early December. The team hopes to have him back in time for the playoff push, but it’s too early to be speculating on that front.

Currently, Harvin is on the physically unable to perform list. If he stays on that list past the Aug. 31 deadline to reduce rosters down to 53 players, Harvin will have to miss the first six games of the season and won’t count towards the roster. After those six games, he has a five-week window in which he can practice, and after resuming practicing, he would then have three weeks to rejoin the 53-man roster.

If he doesn’t rejoin the 53-man roster in that window, he will be forced to miss the remainder of the season. In short, Harvin could make his debut in Week 7 (which would indicate an 11-week recovery time) or as late as Week 15.

Seattle was looking to add more athleticism and versatility to that group of receivers, of course. Seattle was likely preparing on airing it out a good bit, but the offense wasn’t going to change drastically from last season. If Wilson throws for that many yards, that many touchdowns and the Seahawks put up more than 30 points per game, as they did over the final 10 games of the season, Seattle will be plenty happy.

Lynch himself had 1,590 yards and 11 touchdowns, with a per-carry average of 5.2 yards. Wilson is a mobile quarterback and managed 489 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns of his own. Seattle isn’t exactly devoid of dynamic offensive threats, thanks to having Wilson.

Harvin’s exact injury is not currently known, but when Harvin was initially placed on the PUP list, it was reported that he may have suffered a partially torn labrum in his hip. At the time, Harvin sought a second opinion on the injury in the hopes of avoiding surgery.

If his recovery time is near the three- or four-month mark, he could still return and play this season, and the Seahawks will certainly have some decisions to make regarding his roster spot. NFL teams can now place a player on injured reserve with a return designation following the sixth week of the regular season.

Carroll said Harvin could return in a couple of weeks or could be out for the season, depending on what the doctors determine. Surgery could keep Harvin out for the season, but Carroll said the 25-year-old receiver could still play this year, even if surgery is required.

“It wouldn’t necessarily be season ending,” Carroll said on Saturday, via the Tacoma News Tribune. “That’s one of the scenarios it could be, but the likelihood of getting back just depends on what they have to do. ... That’s a possibility, but we’re hoping that’s not the probability. We’re thinking it’s going to be better than that.”

Harvin was the prize gem of the Seahawks’ offseason haul, but the speedy pass-catcher’s availability for the year is now in jeopardy. CBS Sports is reporting that hip surgery could likely keep Harvin out for the entire 2013 season. On the other hand, he would be eligible to be removed from the PUP list immediately if cleared by doctors.

Harvin racked up 20 touchdowns and over 3,000 yards receiving in his four seasons with the Vikings.

The Vikings traded Harvin to the Seahawks for three draft picks, including the 25th overall pick in this year’s draft.

It now appears that another injury has forced Harvin to the sidelines as Seattle gears up for training camp. However, he can be placed on the active roster at any time, unlike the regular season PUP that guarantees a player must miss at least six games. Harvin, the Seahawks and the Seattle fans are hoping that is not the case for their new star receiver.