Seahawks
Notebook: Knee downs FB Davis

By José Miguel Romero
Seattle Times staff reporter

E-mail this article Print this article Search archive Most read articles Most e-mailed articles

Before Thursday night's game, the Seahawks had a difficult decision to make regarding who would be their backup fullback.

The question was answered during the game, but in the least desirable of ways.

Chris Davis, the second-year player from Syracuse who worked his way back into contention for the job despite major surgery on his left knee last year, suffered what appeared to be another serious injury, to his right knee, in the Seahawks' 23-21 win over Minnesota.

It happened on kickoff coverage in the third quarter. Davis got tangled up with a Vikings player while running down to make a tackle, and he had to be helped off the field. He was carted into the Seahawks' locker room for X-rays.

Neither the nature of the injury nor Davis' prognosis was known yesterday.

"I heard someone say, 'Aaaah!' " said Seahawks running back Kerry Carter, who was on the field with Davis on the kickoff. "I looked back as we were running down the field, and I thought, 'I hope it's not his knee.' "

Davis, a fifth-round draft pick in 2003, made the roster last year on the strength of his special-teams play. But he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on the opening kickoff of the season opener and was placed on injured reserve.

He had surgery and came back for this summer's camp, though not quite at full strength. While pushing three-year veteran Heath Evans for the job behind Mack Strong, Davis suffered a concussion early in camp and got his wind knocked out in San Diego last week.

Evans was sound but had dropped a few passes in days leading up to Thursday's game. He started against the Vikings and benefited from extended playing time. But seeing Davis go down was difficult to take.
 
"I didn't ever want to make a team by someone else getting hurt," Evans said. "I think his spot on the team was locked. I think I was the one kind of duking it out. So, hopefully, I've done enough."

Notes

• DE Anton Palepoi left Thursday's game in the third quarter after being poked in the eye. He is not expected to miss any additional time.

• CB Ken Lucas put the finishing touches on a stellar training camp and exhibition season with an interception in the end zone.