rehabbed the injury in order to play against the Panth

RENTON, Wash. -- It was one thing for the Seattle Seahawks to know they would be without safety Earl Thomas for one game, maybe two.Now that the former All-Pro safety is done for the rest of the 2016 season -- no matter how far Seattle may advance in the playoffs -- the Seahawks are facing a new reality for the rest of this year that doesnt include arguably their most important defensive player on the field.I dont think youre going to replace Earl Thomas. Hes a very unique player. But hes very quiet. Hes not a guy who adds a whole lot on the vocal side. He does it with his play, Seattle coach Pete Carroll said on Monday. Earl is Earl.The Seahawks now know the earliest they will see Thomas back on the field is the 2017 season after he suffered a broken lower left leg in Sundays 40-7 win over Carolina. While there was an initial thought that Thomas could return if the Seahawks made a deep run in the playoffs, Carroll said further examination on Monday determined the recovery for the fractured tibia is too extensive for the star safety to make it back this season.Its a crushing injury to the player that makes Seattles defense function perhaps more than any other. And while Steven Terrell is a solid replacement with experience in Seattles system and one start already this season, hes not Thomas, as Carroll said.You cant make up for it. You just try to find some others who can do half of what he does, Seattle defensive end Michael Bennett said Sunday night. Its hard to replace that kind of player whos a Hall of Fame type of player. You cant really replace (them).Thomas was injured in the second quarter of the blowout victory, colliding with teammate Kam Chancellor as each tried to intercept a pass from Carolina quarterback Cam Newton. It was a violent and high-speed collision that Carroll said Monday also left Chancellor a little banged up.Its the first major injury of Thomas career and the emotional safety immediately became reflective, tweeting during the game that he was contemplating retirement.I know its really generated a lot of curiosity, Carroll said. Hes going through, at the time, the emotional part of dealing with an injury thats a serious setback. I dont know much more about it than that.Thomas has been a constant in Seattles secondary since he arrived in 2010 as the second draft pick made by Carroll and general manager John Schneider. He started 106 consecutive games, a streak that was snapped last week when he sat out against Tampa Bay due to a hamstring injury.Thomas furiously rehabbed the injury in order to play against the Panthers. And he lasted barely one quarter before suffering an even more significant blow.Carroll said the freedom with how Thomas plays is the most difficult aspect to replace.The experience that Earl has, has given him freedom to see things, make plays, feel confident making breaks on balls and taking shots on stuff. That comes from a lot of success, confidence building success, Carroll said. You get bold. Earl has become that kind of player for us.Terrell has been with Seattle since 2014, signed in part because of the quickness he brought to the secondary. Hes mostly been a special teams contributor, but played well a week ago against Tampa Bay with Thomas sidelined.Its really important because were playing a lot of three-deep and youve got to cover a lot of ground out there, Carroll said of Terrell. Weve had guys who dont have 4.3 (40-yard dash) speed that have played over the years but it sure helps.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Tim Hardaway Warriors Jersey . -- Cam Newton pranced into the end zone, placed his hands over his chest and did his familiar Superman pose. Glenn Robinson Jersey .S. -- Nikolaj Ehlers registered a hat trick for the third straight game and Jonathan Drouin had a goal and five assists as the Halifax Mooseheads hammered the host Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 10-1 on Tuesday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. https://www.warriorsrookiesshop.com/Kevin-Durant-City-Edition-Jersey/ . Coach Tom Thibodeau says the former MVP will probably start travelling with the team in the next few weeks. Rose tore the meniscus in his right knee at Portland in November and was ruled out for the remainder of the season by the Bulls. Draymond Green Warriors Jersey . The catch: It needs a lot of money, and it needs it fast. Golden State Warriors Jerseys . But Bourque, who has missed three games with a lower-body injury, wont be in the lineup when the Habs travel to Buffalo to take on the Sabres on Wednesday. ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Pro Bowl running back Latavius Murray has been ruled out of the Oakland Raiders home game against the San Diego Chargers with a toe injury on his right foot.With Murray out, the rookie duo of fifth-round pick DeAndre Washington and undrafted free agent Jalen Richard, as well as fullback Jamize Olawale, will get the ball.Youre always prepared in case, said Raiders coach Jack Del Rio. Youve got capable guys, guys who have been playing anyways. Well be ready to go.Raiders offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said Thursday that Murray, who leads the team with 172 rushing yards on 40 carries with three rushing touchdowns, was wearing a protective boot Tuesday and Wednesday. He was working with new cleats in an attempt to play.It did not work.Murray was responsible for 75 percent of the Raiders running plays last season. TThis year, Washington has rushed for 147 yards on 23 carries and Richard has 144 yards on 17 attempts, with a 75-yard TD on his first NFL carry.ddddddddddddTheyre so sharp in pass protection as well as when we get them in the passing game, Musgrave said. We get them out, throw balls to them.Washington has six receptions for 37 yards and Richard has five catches for 39 yards.Also ruled out by Oakland were right tackle Menelik Watson (calf) and safety Nate Allen (quad).Right tackles Austin Howard (ankle) and Matt McCants (knee), running back Taiwan Jones (knee), linebacker Malcolm Smith (quad) and tight end Clive Walford (knee) were all ruled questionable to play after being limited in light practice Friday. ' ' '