Updated Jan 7, 2013 - 9:52 pm
Clemons' injury deals big blow to Seahawks' defense
As the Seahawks were preparing for their wild-card game against Washington last week, coach Pete Carroll noted how fortunate they had been all season to have almost their entire starting lineup remain intact.
That luck ran out Monday when an MRI on defensive end Chris Clemons' left knee revealed what the Seahawks had feared – a torn ACL and meniscus.
The injury, sustained during the third quarter of Seattle's win over Washington, will end Clemons' season and force the Seahawks to move on without their best pass rusher as they prepare for Sunday's divisional-round matchup with top-seeded Atlanta.
"It's a big loss for us in a lot of ways," coach Pete Carroll told reporters. "Chris has been a great football player and just a symbol of consistency in the years that we've had him, but he's been a great leader for us too and a tough dude and a guy we've become very comfortable playing with and we'll miss the heck out of him."
Clemons, 31, led the Seahawks in sacks in each of the last three years. He followed up consecutive 11-sack seasons in 2010 and '11 with a career-high 11.5 this season. His 33.5 sacks over the last three seasons were tied for the fifth-most in the NFL during than span.
"I want to thank everyone for there [sic] prayers. I will be ready for next season. We still got a Super Bowl to win!" Clemons tweeted Monday.
Carroll was noncommittal when asked who would step in for Clemons, though he said "the logical thing" to do is elevate rookie Bruce Irvin into a starting role. Irvin led all rookies with eight sacks during the regular season as mainly a situational pass rusher opposite Clemons.
Clemons' role as the weakside defensive end – a position referred to as the leo in Seattle's defense – comes with more responsibilities in the run game.
"Those guys believe in me and I won't let them down. I'm going to go in and bust my butt the whole week in case Clem don't play, and I'll be ready and prepared next week," Irvin said Sunday when asked about potentially having to assume Clemons' role.
Irvin replaced Clemons on Sunday and recorded a sack.
"He did well. He chased the football well and he had a good active game for us," Carroll said. "He understands the position. he's been playing it all year, this is nothing new. He'll be called on to play more."
Carroll said the team began exploring free-agent options on Sunday and that any roster move will be made by Wednesday.
The the video below includes additional thoughts from Bob Stelton and Dave Grosby on how Clemons' injury will impact the Seahawks.
You can listen to Monday's podcast here.
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skottedont wrote...DangJanuary 7, 2013 3:08 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
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rajuseattle wrote...Yeah #51 please live uoto our expectations and prove thatJanuary 7, 2013 3:19 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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DoctorD wrote...Clemmons. RGIII & Bad, Bad Field.January 7, 2013 3:24 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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*logos* wrote...The redskinsJanuary 7, 2013 5:14 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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itiswhatitis wrote...Exactly....January 7, 2013 7:17 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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Lonestar wrote...Put some duct tape on his knee and send him out thereJanuary 7, 2013 3:23 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
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Newton wrote...Nobody wants see Clem out od the line up.January 7, 2013 4:13 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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Snout wrote...That ghetto field caused it.January 7, 2013 5:15 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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*logos* wrote...Chris will be sorely missedJanuary 7, 2013 5:16 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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Snout wrote...seconded.January 7, 2013 5:34 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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sambra27 wrote...Impose finesJanuary 8, 2013 6:20 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
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HockeyMom wrote...Absolutely agreed!January 8, 2013 6:49 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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Regional wrote...What is going to be done?January 8, 2013 12:11 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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clevesside wrote...Bruce the Force will do nicely...January 8, 2013 8:13 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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dbhawkfan84 wrote...I LOVE CLEMONS!January 8, 2013 10:30 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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dsbab wrote...I love ClemonsJanuary 8, 2013 12:48 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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Johnnymac50 wrote...Clemons' injury isJanuary 8, 2013 1:26 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
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Rangerhawk wrote...Ghetto-Field injuriesJanuary 8, 2013 7:04 pm{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }- Reply
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Bob Stelton is the co-host of "Bob and Groz". He came to 710 ESPN Seattle from 101 ESPN in St. Louis and had previously worked for Sporting News Radio in Chicago and Santa Monica, Calif. Bob began his radio career in Seattle in 1997 after a failed attempt to become a rock star. 
Dave Grosby is the co-host of "Bob and Groz." The Groz has spent the last 21 years of his 39-year broadcast career as a Seattle sports talk show host. Dave is also the play-by-play announcer for Seattle U basketball on KTTH 770. Before coming to Seattle, Dave worked at KFI in Los Angeles and KFBK in Sacramento. He's been married to his wife Bonnie for 23 years.
After two years as the producer for "Brock and Salk," Colin Paisley now produces "Bob and Groz." Colin also hosts "Seattle Sports at Night" with Tom Wassell and Matt Pitman. Colin came to 710 ESPN Seattle after five years at various FM music stations in Bellingham and Seattle. In addition to his time as producer and host, Colin likes to spend his time embracing his "Slacker Gen-Y" persona by napping and not caring about stuff. Plus he likes tons of bands you've never heard of, and once you hear of them he'll stop liking them.
