If there wasn’t already enough drama surrounding the Seattle Seahawks, things have now intensified after All-Pro safety Earl Thomas missed practice for the second time this week due to “personal reasons”.
#Seahawks list Earl Thomas as not participating in practice for the 2nd time in 3 days, for the same reason: "not injury related." #thingsthatmakeyougohmmm pic.twitter.com/QJbrWV8Lh1
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) September 21, 2018
Seattle’s injury report indicates Thomas missed practice on Wednesday for non-injury reasons, returned to full practice on Thursday then was absent again on Friday for non-injury reasons.
The situation became more odd after head coach Pete Carroll addressed reporters on Friday and was extremely vague about Thomas’ absence from the practice field.
Carroll's comments on Earl Thomas:
"He couldn't work today."
"We'll see how he's doing. Make sure he's OK."
(Injury related?) "No, he's got some other stuff going on we're working on.
(Personal nature?) "Yes, it's a personal nature that's why I'm not talking about it."
— Curtis Crabtree (@Curtis_Crabtree) September 21, 2018
Carroll’s comments that it is a personal matter and the team needs to make sure he is OK will certainly raise concerns.
It is unknown if the absence is related to his recent holdout for a new contract during the offseason or if this is of a more serious nature.
As of now, it remains to be seen if Thomas will be able to suit up on Sunday for the Seahawks. It would be a big loss for Seattle’s defense as they face the Dallas Cowboys and try to avoid a 0-3 start to the season.