Percy Harvin Begins Countdown for Return to Seahawks

The 4-1 Seattle Seahawks could be getting a whole lot more dangerous. On Monday afternoon, wide receiver Percy Harvin hinted on Twitter that he is close to returning to the field:

For fantasy football players, it might be smart to add him to your bench, but Harvin won't be putting on the pads just yet for the Seahawks, according to Fox Sports 1 insider Mike Garafolo:

Still, there's reason for the team and its fans to be excited.   

Seattle placed Harvin on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list after he underwent hip surgery on Aug. 1, meaning the earliest he's eligible to return to practice is following Week 6. The news of his progress comes shortly after Liz Mathews of 710 ESPN tweeted that Harvin resumed running last week in New York:

Seattle sent three draft picks to the Minnesota, including a 2013 first-rounder, for Harvin this offseason and he was expected to be the team's most explosive player in the passing game. Even without the speedy wideout, Russell Wilson and the Seattle offense has been effective, ranking seventh in points per game (27.4) and yards (366.4).

Without Harvin, Golden Tate (18 receptions for 236 yards and one touchdown) and Doug Baldwin (17 receptions for 296 yards and one touchdown) have emerged as the top two wideouts, ahead of No. 3 option Sidney Rice (10 receptions for 146 yards and two scores). Harvin figures to step right in as one of the top slot receivers in the league for Wilson, who has a passer rating of 91.2 through five games.

The key for Harvin will be to stay healthy, however. He's scored 29 touchdowns (20 receiving, five on returns and four rushing) in 54 career games, but was placed on injured reserve last year after suffering an ankle injury in Week 9.

The Seahawks have also added second-year pass-rusher Bruce Irvin to the active roster this week after he served a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing-drug policy. Coupled with the news of Harvin's impending return, Seattle looks poised to be one of the league's most powerful teams and a strong candidate to dethrone the San Francisco 49ers as NFC West champs.