According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, veteran Seahawks running back Chris Carson is leaving the league at the age of 27 due to a persistent neck issue.
Even if Carson’s neck significantly gets better, he won’t announce his formal retirement. The top ball carrier will be able to recuperate several million dollars in injury protection payments under the collective labor agreement if Seattle releases him with a failed physical designation, according to Rapoport.
Chris Carson re-signed a two-year contract with Seattle in the spring of 2021, but in Week 4 of the next regular season, he suffered a neck injury. Shortly after, he was put on injured reserve, and it was eventually discovered that he would require neck surgery to terminate the season. He ran for 232 yards and three touchdowns on 54 carry to cap off his fifth NFL season.
Only 12 Of The Games Chris Carson Played In 2020 Were Affected By His Foot Issue
Chris Carson, an Oklahoma State product selected by the Seahawks in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft, began to emerge as a standout despite breaking his ankle during his rookie season. The team’s main rushing back, Carson amassed more than 1,100 yards on the ground in both 2018 and 2019, scoring a total of 18 touchdowns.
Unfortunately, Chris Carson’s foot problem prevented him from performing well in just 12 of the games he participated in in 2020. Nevertheless, he added nine more touchdowns to his tally that season and his yards per carrying average (4.8) was a career-high.
Over the course of five seasons in Seattle, Carson accumulated 3,502 running yards, 804 receiving yards, and 31 touchdowns in 49 NFL games. Rashaad Penny and rookie running back Kenneth Walker III are anticipated to split the ball-carrying duties now that Chris Carson has retired for the Seahawks.
