Seattle loses safety Earl Thomas for rest of the season

[...] 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 doesn't include arguably their most important defensive player on the field.

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.

It's a crushing injury to the player that makes Seattle's defense function perhaps more than any other.

[...] while Steven Terrell is a solid replacement with experience in Seattle's system and one start already this season, he's not Thomas, as Carroll said.

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.

Thomas has been a constant in Seattle's secondary since he arrived in 2010 as the second draft pick made by Carroll and general manager John Schneider.

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.