Sherman, Thomas: We'll play in SB

ByJohn Clayton ESPN logo
Monday, January 19, 2015

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman and free safety Earl Thomas both suffered injuries in the team's 28-22 overtime win against the Green Bay Packers in Sunday's NFC Championship Game.

Sherman suffered an elbow injury in the fourth quarter while Thomas injured his shoulder in the first half. The extent of the injuries is unknown and both players will have MRIs on Monday.

Both Sherman and Thomas said they will play in the Super Bowl.

On the opening play of the fourth quarter, Sherman ran over to tackle Packers running back James Starks along the Seahawks' sideline after a 32-yard run. Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor ran to the sideline and collided with Starks and Sherman. Immediately, Sherman felt something was wrong with his left elbow.

Trainers along the sidelines were yelling at him to see what was wrong. Sherman stayed on the field despite being in pain. Sherman clenched his left hand and played through the problem, not missing a play.

"I could still position myself to be in coverage," Sherman said. "It happened on the play I chased James Starks to the sidelines. One my teammates went through us."

Sherman had to be told in the locker room that the hit was made by Chancellor. What surprised Sherman was that Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers didn't throw in his direction after he suffered the injury. Sherman said he didn't know if he would have been able to raise his left hand to stop a high pass with an elbow injury.

The preliminary diagnosis is a sprain but doctors want to determine whether he might have a nerve impingement, a source told ESPN's Ed Werder. After the game, Sherman's left hand was still clenched as he absorbed the pain.

"We got tape for the warriors," Sherman said. "I guarantee you in our next game, we will all be out there."

Thomas suffered a shoulder injury in the first half, but said he didn't know if he suffered a shoulder subluxation. Thomas had to go into the training room and put his shoulder in a harness. Once the harness was in place, Thomas was able to return and play the rest of the game.

"I know who I am, I'm a warrior, bro," Thomas said. "If I can play I don't care if I can't function really well. I know if I can help the team I'm going to be in there."

Despite the injury, Thomas ran across the field on one play and hit halfback Eddie Lacy so hard that Lacy flew into a seat on the Seahawks bench.

"Everybody on the team knows who I am," Thomas said. "I'm a man, man."

Related Video