Earl Thomas breaks leg against Panthers and says retirement is running `through my mind`

Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas went down with a left leg injury against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday Night Football. On the broadcast, Michele Tafoya said she talked to Pete Carroll, who described the injury as a “cracked tibia.” He will not return.

Shortly after leaving the game, Thomas tweeted that the injury had him thinking about retirement:

Thomas was going for an interception and collided with teammate Kam Chancellor, and grabbed his left leg immediately after hitting the ground. Thomas attempted to get up, but was unable to bear weight on that leg.

After being essentially carried from the field by the Seahawks’ athletic performance staff, Thomas was examined on the sideline. He was then carted off the field to the locker room for X-rays. He was later seen exiting on crutches.

As soon as Thomas left the game, Cam Newton took advantage of his absence, connecting with Ted Ginn, Jr. on a deep pass for a touchdown.

In seven seasons, the three-time All-Pro has 23 interceptions and 10 forced fumbles. The Seahawks drafted him in the first round of the 2010 draft. Thomas missed the first NFL game of his entire career last week when the Seahawks lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.