SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 25: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts against the New Orleans Saints during the third quarter at Lumen Field on October 25, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Photo: Getty Images
The Seattle Seahawks appear set to get their starting quarterback back this week.
Russell Wilson tweeted out a video of his rehab process continuing on Monday with the caption "It's Time." Shortly after Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reporter that Dr. Steven Shin, who did the surgery on Wilson's finger last month, had cleared him to return to action this week against the Green Bay Packers.
"On October 7, 2021, Russell Wilson sustained severe injuries to the middle finger of his right hand during a game," Shin said in a statement released by the Seahawks. "He had immediate surgery the following day in the form of a repair of a fracture-dislocation of his proximal interphalangeal joint and an extensor tendon rupture (mallet finger).
"Although this was uncharted territory (I have never in my career seen such a severe injury to the throwing hand of an NFL quarterback), I have also never encountered a player so committed to his postoperative therapy and with so much conviction to return to the same, if not better, level of performance as he had pre-injury. I am absolutely amazed at his progress, so much so that I can confidently clear him for full return to play without reservation."
Wilson was injured in a Thursday night game against the Los Angeles Rams last month when the middle finger of his throwing hand collided with Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald. The impact caused a condition known as "mallet finger" for Wilson. He remained in the game for the next offensive series and threw just one pass before exiting the game and deferring to Geno Smith. Smith has started each of the three games in Wilson's absence with a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars and close losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints.
The three games missed by Wilson were the first of his 10-year NFL career. He had barely missed meaningful snaps at all through his first nine seasons despite a couple injuries that threatened his run in 2016.
Wilson's return to action comes at a pivotal point for the Seahawks. They sit at 3-5 and are outside of the playoff picture through the first half of the season. Their next two games come against the two best teams in the conference in the Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals. Victories in those games could get Seattle right back into the mix in the NFC. Losses could essentially end their chances for the year. A split could keep them treading water a little bit longer.
While Wilson's return will be a boost, there may be no play in the league Wilson has struggled more than at Lambeau Field. Including the playoffs, Wilson is 0-4 at Green Bay during his career. He's completed 76 of 127 passes (59.8 percent), for 881 yards with four touchdowns and six interceptions. He's combined passer rating over those four contests is a 71.7.
The Seahawks haven't won a game in Green Bay since 1999, a run of eight straight losses in Wisconsin including the postseason. Wilson will be back hoping to help Seattle break that streak this weekend.
Photo Credit: SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 25: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts against the New Orleans Saints during the third quarter at Lumen Field on October 25, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)