NFL Network initially reported that Carson is expected to retire, but that he “will not make a retirement announcement unless his neck improves dramatically.” As NFL Network reported, the failed physical designation will allow Carson to receive “several millions” in injury protection benefits. Carson had one year left on a contract he signed in March 2021, which was set to pay him a non-guaranteed salary of $4.5 million this year. That contract included $5.5 million in guaranteed money. Carson didn’t play after the fourth game of last season because of a neck problem that coach Pete Carroll said at the time was something Carson had been dealing with for a while and flared up after playing one half against the 49ers on Oct. 3. He then underwent cervical surgery in December that the team hoped would allow him to continue playing. However, Carson had not been cleared to participate in spring OTAs and minicamp, and a statement from the team on Tuesday said he was again unable to pass a physical this week with training camp set to begin Wednesday. “It’s a big disappointment,” Seahawks general manager John Schneider said via the team’s website. “We took it as far as we could with him, he saw a number of specialists but unfortunately he couldn’t pass our fitness.” Carroll was also quoted by the team’s website as saying: “From the first time I saw Chris on film, I loved his style and was thrilled when we were able to get him when we did. To see him grow and become such an impressive part of our program with such great style and all that, it’s been a thrill to watch. We will also miss everything he brought to our program.” Carroll said in October that Carson had been dealing with a neck injury for some time. “He’s got an old injury that you can see (on the exam),” Carroll said at the time. “It’s kind of, I don’t know if it’s chronic, but it comes up sometimes. It wasn’t a problem in the past. He didn’t hit, so he got hurt. It’s a condition he probably has from lifting weights and all the things he’s done over the years. It could have been a thing a long time ago. It just flared up a few, so we’re very careful with it. It was too uncomfortable for him to play.” When Carson couldn’t get cleared to take part in the offseason program, Carroll spoke ominously about his future, admitting the team had talked to him about retirement. “Our kids love this game growing up and when they feel like there might be an end to it, it’s tough. It’s hard and it’s real,” Carroll said. “And we’ll love him through it and help him as much as we can, if that’s how we do with everyone when it comes to his end. It is inevitable. It’s coming, but it’s always too early, so we’re trying to fight it.” Carson told Heavy.com in June that he hoped to continue playing, saying, “Oh, we’re still going right now. I see myself playing until I feel like stopping. My mindset is to never give up. So I’m staying positive like I said and keep fighting and getting back on the court.” But Tuesday’s news revealed the sad reality that Carson’s career appears to be over. Carson leaves Seattle with a legacy of a physical and powerful running style rivaled only by Marshawn Lynch during the Seahawks’ Carroll era, and as one of the team’s best late-round draft picks in franchise history. Carson came to Seattle as a seventh-round draft pick in 2017 out of Oklahoma State and emerged as one of the team’s top late-round picks in recent years, immediately earning a starting role. But his rookie season was cut short when he suffered a broken foot after four games and had to miss the rest of the year. He played in 41 of a possible 48 games over the next three seasons, however, rushing for 1,230 yards in 2019 — the highest single-season total for any Seahawk since Lynch in 2014. Carson leaves the team eighth in franchise history in rushing with 3,502 yards and sixth in rushing touchdowns with 24. His 12 100-yard games since 2018 are fifth-most in the NFL. Seattle expected Carson might not be able to play this season after drafting Ken Walker III out of Michigan State in the second round in April. Seattle re-signed Rashaad Penny to a one-year deal in March, and Penny and Walker now become the team’s second duo heading into 2022 with Tuesday’s Carson news. “He was one of my favorite Seahawks ever,” Carroll said in June. “I loved what he stood for and what he brought, and we’d love to have him back. He is a very special player and a very special competitor. We’ll keep our fingers crossed. … We’re all rooting for him.” Some of Carson’s teammates took to social media after the news broke to pay tribute. Penny simply posted a photo of himself with Carson, while his colleague Travis Homer posted a clip of a Carson TD run with the words “dog mentality.” This story will be updated. Bob Condotta: 206-515-5699 or [email protected]; on Twitter: @bcondotta. Bob Condotta covers the Seahawks for the Seattle Times. It provides daily coverage of the team throughout the year.
