Broken Right Leg Sidelines Friesz
During the weekend, the Seattle Seahawks rewarded quarterback John Friesz with a new $4.2 million contract. Detroit Lions defensive linemen made Friesz pay dearly with what the Seahawks believe was illegal contact.
Coach Dennis Erickson learned Monday that Friesz was lost for the season because he played three quarters in Sunday’s 17-16 loss to the Lions with a broken right leg. Though the loss of Friesz was stunning, the potential cause could jeopardize the short-term future of Lions assistant head coach John Teerlink.
The Seahawks want the NFL to investigate at least four plays of Sunday’s game in which they believe Lions defensive linemen went for Friesz below his knees. Two weeks ago, commissioner Paul Tagliabue threatened to suspend Teerlink if he found new evidence of a pattern of low hits.
“They’re a different team,” Erickson said. “When they tackle the quarterback, they tackle low. There were a number of occasions that happened. It just happened to be one of them was the one he got hurt on.”
No one could say for sure on which first-quarter play Friesz broke his right leg.
Monday, doctors said Friesz suffered a non-displaced fracture of the tibia plateau. Because the break is in the lower part of the leg on a weight-bearing bone, Friesz can’t play for six-to-eight weeks, ending his season and creating the unusual twist that Rick Mirer takes back an offense that was taken from him six weeks ago.
At first, Friesz thought he sprained an ankle. He blocked out the pain and continued to play. But the injury cost Friesz mobility.
Erickson replaced Friesz after the first play of the fourth quarter with Mirer, who put the Seahawks in position to win the game with two potential field goal drives.
Seahawks notes
Linebacker Winston Moss tore a triceps muscle and must decide whether to have surgery now and miss the rest of the season or wear a brace and continue playing… . Chris Warren underwent a MRItest on his knee; Erickson said he believes Warren will play Sunday against Oakland… . Stan Gelbaugh will be the backup QB and the team will decide whether to add Jon Kitna to the active roster or look for a veteran.