When Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson suffered an injury to his throwing hand in Week 5, he was told he would miss 6-8 weeks. Less than five weeks later, is Wilson playing in Week 10 as he looks to return ahead of that original timeframe?
Is Russell Wilson playing today vs. the Packers?
It looks pretty much set that Wilson will be returning from his injury and playing in Week 10. He required surgery after suffering tendon damage, a dislocation, and two fractures. However, Wilson has worked tirelessly since then in order to beat the odds and return to the field in Week 10.
The pin that was inserted in his finger was removed ahead of the Seahawks’ bye in Week 9, and Wilson returned to practice this week. While the finger is not completely back to full health, Wilson said it is pretty close.
“I feel great. I feel really close. I’m not 100% yet, but I’m pretty dang close,” Wilson said. “I don’t need to wear a glove. The hand feels strong.”
That means Wilson should return in a crucial matchup for the Seahawks against the Green Bay Packers. Green Bay will also have their quarterback returning after Aaron Rodgers missed Week 9 following a positive test for COVID-19. The return of the two star QBs has taken this from a matchup between Jordan Love and Geno Smith to a showdown between two of the NFL’s very best at the position.
The Seahawks have struggled without Wilson
Seattle has played three games without their franchise QB. If you also include the game against the Rams he had to leave, they have gone 1-3 in that timeframe and slipped to 3-5. Ahead of their bye week, they got a crucial win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, but now it’s crunch time for the franchise.
In Week 10, the Seahawks face the Packers before taking on the Cardinals in Week 11. If they can get back to 5-5, they will be in a great position to try and make a run at the NFC playoffs with a somewhat weak schedule in the second half.
According to Pro Football Network’s Offensive Value Metric, no QB in the league has been more valuable to his offense when on the field than Wilson.
Only Wilson and Bengals QB Joe Burrow have achieved an overall grade over 30 this season. The Seahawks will be hoping they get the same Wilson back after his injury.
Geno Smith has had mixed performances in the past few weeks
Geno Smith has not been a disaster in relief of Wilson. He has been above average in terms of value provided to the offense. Yet, the Seahawks’ roster lacks the surrounding talent for Smith to have been able to lead this team to a winning record with his play.
During his four weeks, he has completed 65 of 95 passes for 702 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 1 interception. However, the Seahawks have not let him loose in charge of the offense. He has passed for over 200 yards just once this season — the overtime game against Pittsburgh.
Most importantly, though, he has not made many mistakes. After throwing an interception against the Rams, Smith has shown a clean card since.
Smith did a solid job in relief, but the Seahawks desperately need Wilson back under center if they want to make a run at the playoffs in 2021.
Wilson’s return provides a fantasy boost for DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett
With the Seahawks throttling back the offense with Smith in charge of the ball, it’s had fantasy impacts for both Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf. Metcalf has been fine mostly due to scoring 3 touchdowns. Still, he had under 200 receiving yards in the three games combined without Wilson. The touchdowns saved his value, but getting Wilson back will be a relief.
Until Week 8 against the Jaguars, Lockett’s fantasy managers had it even tougher. Lockett had just 47 receiving yards on 4 receptions in Weeks 6 and 7. Nevertheless, he bounced back with 12 receptions for 142 yards against Jacksonville. Consistency is always an issue for Lockett, but getting Wilson back should raise his ceiling a touch.
For Wilson’s fantasy managers, his return will be very welcome. Wilson is an X-factor player who can win fantasy matchups on his own. It will be interesting to see if he is hampered in Week 10 against the Packers at all.
Green Bay has been one of the 10-toughest defenses for opposing QBs in terms of fantasy points. It certainly won’t be easy for Wilson, but it is hard not to start him this week.