Richard Sherman Injury: Updates on Seahawks Star's Hip and Return

The Seattle Seahawks were down a key member from their "Legion of Boom" secondary in their preseason opener when Richard Sherman sat out with a hip flexor issue, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. While he also sat out in their second contest, he is unlikely to miss any more action.

Continue for updates.

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Sherman Nears Return

Friday, Aug. 21

Head coach Pete Carroll said Sherman is expected to play against the Chargers in Week 3 of the preseason, via Curtis Crabtree of the Associated Press.

Gregg Bell of The News Tribune reported Sherman fielded kicks during the team's pre-game against the Chiefs.

Condotta reported that Sherman was in pads at practice on Aug. 18.

That is encouraging news for the Seahawks, because it should go without saying how much the 27-year-old cornerback means to Seattle. His boastful style may rub some fans the wrong way, but he's unquestionably one of the best defensive backs in the NFL and serves as the heartbeat of the Seahawks' dominant defense.

Sherman has earned All-Pro status in each of the last three years, a stretch in which he has intercepted 20 passes. The Legion of Boom is bigger than just him, but he constitutes a massive part of that unit.

It will be interesting to see how Seattle deals with any lingering injuries to Sherman if his hip becomes a long-term concern. As good as Sherman is, the Seahawks might be the one defense in the league that could cope with losing a player of his caliber.

Grantland's Bill Barnwell argued in the offseason that Earl Thomas, not Sherman, is the most irreplaceable piece of the secondary:

Looking further ahead, though, you'd assume the Seahawks' chances of reaching a third straight Super Bowl would be on hold in the event that Sherman is less than 100 percent.