Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin (11) runs a route against New Orleans Saints defensive back Trevin Wade (30) during the first half of the 2013 NFC divisional playoff football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin just can’t catch a break out there, and he was the victim of two vicious hits in last week’s win over the New Orleans Saints. The second hit caused Harvin to leave the game with a concussion, which immediately put his status in doubt for today’s game against the San Francisco 49ers. Although there was some optimism that Harvin would be able to suit up against the Seahawks rivals, he was ruled out yesterday in a very unsurprising move.
The Seahawks only had Harvin for one game (and he was limited to boot) in the regular season, so they are definitely a dominant team without him. Golden Tate, Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse, and Zach Miller are adequate targets for Russell Wilson, with Tate and Baldwin being particularly impressive. However, Harvin’s electrifying playmaking ability adds a new dimension to the Seahawks offense, and it’s a dimension that they have largely missed this season. A guy like Harvin can make Wilson’s life a lot easier, and he’ll have to shake off his slump against the Niners without the benefit of Harvin. Then again, Wilson is a top ten QB who played his best games this season without Harvin since, well, he only had Harvin in two cameos.
The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the Seahawks believe Harvin, who nearly missed the playoffs entirely with an aggravated hip injury, would play in the Super Bowl if the team ends up beating the 49ers today (they are favored, especially since they are at home). With two weeks in between the conference championships and the “Big Game”, it would be a surprise if Percy Harvin was unable to play in the Meadowlands.