Seahawks' Pete Carroll on Chris Carson's Neck Injury: 'Keeping My Fingers Crossed'

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll was asked at his Friday press conference if running back Chris Carson—currently on injured reserve with a neck injury and out until at least Week 10—would be able to return this season.  

His answer wasn't promising.

"I'm really keeping my fingers crossed for him that he gets a chance to come back and play," Carroll told reporters.

ESPN's Brady Henderson noted that Carson isn't practicing because of "neck discomfort."

Carson, 27, hasn't played since Oct. 3. In four games this season, he's rushed for 232 yards and three scores. 

In the offseason, the Seahawks signed him to a three-year, $24.6 million contract (the third year was voided, however, essentially making it a two-year year, $10.4 million pact). The veteran running back rushed for over 1,100 yards in each of the 2018 and '19 campaigns, but he was limited to 12 games last season because of a foot injury. 

Nonetheless, he still accumulated 968 yards from scrimmage and nine scores, further cementing himself as a key part of Seattle's offense alongside Russell Wilson, DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. 

But the Seahawks are currently without both Carson and Wilson and have dropped to 2-5 on the season. In a loaded NFC—five teams in the conference have just one loss—Seattle's playoff hopes already appear to be extinguished. 

The Seahawks play the Jacksonville Jaguars this week before a Week 9 bye, which could set up a Week 10 return for Carson, though Carroll's comments Friday make that feel unlikely. Following its bye, the team has back-to-back matchups against the Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals, two of the top teams in the NFL this season (both 7-1). 

If the Seahawks lose those, their playoff hopes will be all but dead. In what could be a lost season, it might not make much sense for Carson to return at all and risk further injury.