The depth of the Seahawks receivers took a substantial hit Tuesday when Pro Football Talk first reported that Sidney Rice tore his ACL Monday night in the 14-9 win against the Rams, and will miss the remainder of the season.
Since signing a five-year contract in 2011 that was scheduled to earn him up to $41 million ($18 million guaranteed), Rice struggled in his third season under Pete Carroll, catching 15 passes for 231 yards while battling injuries.
The loss of Rice, combined with receivers struggling to create separation from defensive backs the past two games, shifts the spotlight back to Percy Harvin.
Seattle last week activated their biggest off-season acquisition off the physically unable to perform list nearly three months after he underwent surgery on his hip. Harvin is practicing, but the club has yet to clear a roster spot so he can play.
Rice, meanwhile, most likely played his last game in a Seahawks uniform. Given his lengthy injury history and the two years remaining on his contract, Seattle could well take the salary cap hit and go forward with wide receiver Jermaine Kearse, who replaced Rice Monday night after he sustained the injury.
Rice, 27, is in his seventh year in the NFL after spending the first four with the Minnesota Vikings. His most productive season came in 2009, when he hauled in 83 catches for 1,312 yards and eight touchdowns while playing with quarterback Brett Favre.
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