Grip on Sports: Fant’s injury is a cloud without a silver lining

A GRIP ON SPORTS • Winning, losing, it’s all the same when an NFL team is playing a preseason game. In fact, both can happen simultaneously – and did for the Seahawks last night. Read on.

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• The Hawks defeated a solid team 20-13 last night at CenturyLink, the Minnesota Vikings. But they also lost to an undefeated foe.

That would be the injury bug.

It bites every NFL team during the preseason, some more often than others. And it can decide who wins during the regular season and beyond.

The vermin got left tackle George Fant on Friday night, when the second-year offensive lineman was accidentally blindsided by a teammate.

Fant’s ACL in his right knee didn’t survive the blow and tore, sending him to the sidelines on a cart and out of the lineup for the season.

Even Mr. Positive, head coach Pete Carroll, couldn’t find anything positive to say about this one.

“Really broken-hearted about George Fant getting hurt,’’ Carroll told the media after the game. “Kind of takes a little something out of it for everybody.’’

And it does. Take something out of it for everybody. That’s a team’s most important priority during the four preseason games. Not get ready for the season. Not audition new players. Nope. It’s keep every important player healthy.

And make not mistake about it. George Fant is an important player. Or was. The former college basketball player was improving every day. So much so, the Hawks have put him in the most crucial position on the offensive line and decided he was the guy.

Until Justin Britt rolled into his legs.

Now Fant has to go through the arduous task of rehabilitating his knee. After surgery, of course.

It’s not a career-ending injury any more, sure. But it will cost Fant this season. And will force the Hawks to juggle their offensive-line personnel once again.

Rees Odhiambo was the guy Friday night, but the second-year player was a disaster, giving up two sacks and only avoiding a third by grabbing and holding.

Luke Joeckel, who the Hawks were hoping could stay inside, may have to slide out. But no matter who it is, an in-house or outside candidate, it means starting over again.

It’s the way of the NFL. Where you can win and lose at the same time.

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WSU: When you turn on the Pac-12 Network to watch the Cougars play this fall, there is a pretty good chance one the three folks Theo Lawson spoke with yesterday will be involved with the broadcast. Theo has this Q&A with Anthony Herron, Curtis Conway and Mike Yam. … The rest of the conference just doesn’t appreciate how good the Cougar running back corps is. … Elsewhere in the Pac-12, Washington has a backup plan at quarterback. … Oregon State is trying to find time for a freshman running back. … Freshmen will play a big part in Oregon’s receiving plans. … Colorado has one leader, George Frazier. … It looks as if a BYU linebacker wants to move to Utah. … Who is starting at USC? No one knows. … UCLA has some youngsters filling in up front. … Arizona State needs its defense to improve. … Arizona is being patient with a young offensive lineman. 

EWU: Sure, the Eagles lost their most high-profile pass rusher. But, as Jim Allen relays, the defensive line expects to continue to pressure passers. … Around the Big Sky, Portland State has decided on a freshman as its starting quarterback. … Northern Arizona is set at kicker. 

Idaho: It was a light week for the Vandals, if you are referring to their practice schedule. But if you are referring to the pressure put on by the coaching staff, there was nothing light about it. Peter Harriman has the story.

Indians: There aren’t all that many walk-off home runs hit at Avista Stadium. Heck, there aren’t that many home runs hit in the spacious ballpark. But Matt Whatley accomplished both with one 11th-inning swing last night, giving the Indians a 3-2 win over Vancouver. Whitney Ogden has the game story. … Whitney also has a feature on Spokane pitcher Joe Kuzia (pictured), who took an independent route to the minor leagues. … Elsewhere in the Northwest League, Tri-City moved into a tie for the NWL North Division second-half lead with a win over Everett. … In the South, Hillsboro pounded Eugene.

Mariners: It’s been awhile, but Dave Nichols has a Mariners Log this morning. We added the links to it. I just want to say here the M’s couldn’t have begun their 12-game road trip any better. They had hitting and pitching and defense last night in the 7-1 victory.

Seahawks: We all know the bad news from last night’s game. Fant’s injury was the cloud hanging over the postgame. If you are looking for a silver lining, maybe it was Russell Wilson’s performance. … Or maybe it was Kasen Williams having another spectacular night. … My choice: kicker Blair Walsh pointing at the Viking bench after a long second-half field goal. Kickers. … The story that seems to have caught the national limelight was Britt standing next to a seated Michael Bennett during the national anthem in a show of solidarity.

Sounders: The soccer team is taking a page from the baseball team across the street. The Sounders will honor its 1977 squad. … Portland picked up a 2-0 home victory over the Red Bulls.

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• If you are wondering why the Seahawks’ Walsh pointed at the Viking bench, there is a history there. You may recall Walsh was cut by Minnesota last year. And, as Walsh told it after the game, some of the Vikings were all over him during last night’s contest. Until later …