Seahawks’ Earl Thomas Breaks Leg Amid Contract Negotiations

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Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas broke his leg during Sunday's game against the Cardinals while trying to prevent a 22-yard touchdown pass from Arizona quarterback Josh Rosen. Thomas has been pushing for a new long-term contract with the Seahawks.CreditCreditRoss D. Franklin/Associated Press

By Ken Belson

Sept. 30, 2018

The controversy surrounding Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas III just got more controversial.

Thomas, who has been in contentious negotiations over a contract extension, broke his leg Sunday in his team’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. As Thomas was carted off the field, he raised the middle finger on his right hand and appeared to point it at the Seahawks’ bench.

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The injury is likely to end Thomas’s nine-year career in Seattle, which included six Pro Bowl appearances and a Super Bowl title. He was the last remaining member of the Legion of Boom, the league’s dominant defensive backfield for several years.

Thomas is in the last year of his four-year, $40 million contract. He was due to make $8.5 million this season.

He held out during training camp because he wanted an extension worth more money, claiming he should be paid like a Pro Bowl-caliber defensive back. Only two-thirds of Thomas’s current contract is guaranteed, and his injury is likely to add fuel to the ongoing debate about why a greater percentage of player contracts aren’t guaranteed.

Thomas feared getting injured during the preseason, and he missed two practices before the Seahawks played the Dallas Cowboys last week. Thomas said after the game, in which he made two interceptions, that he was investing in himself and that he expected to be fined for missing practice.

Thomas’s injury occurred with about nine minutes left in the fourth quarter. Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen threw a 22-yard pass to receiver Chad Williams. As Williams dove for the ball, Thomas planted his leg and flew over Williams as he hit the ground.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Thomas broke his lower leg but suffered no ligament damage. He should be ready to play by the Super Bowl.

Seattle coach Pete Carroll said he did not know whether Thomas raised his finger and pointed it at the Seahawks bench.

“Earl was extraordinarily poised on the field from what just occurred, to be so clear, and so resolved to what, he knew what happened,” Carroll said.

Thomas did not speak to the media after the game.

The touchdown tied the score at 17, but Seahawks kicker Sebastian Janikowski kicked a field goal as time ran out to win the game for Seattle, 20-17. After losing their first two games of the season, the Seahawks are now 2-2.

But they face a tough road ahead without their All-Pro safety.