Although he made his much-hyped debut in Week 12, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin's status is once again uncertain after he had a setback in his recovery from hip surgery. Harvin missed Seattle's Week 13 game against the New Orleans Saints after his hip stiffened up. He underwent a "little procedure" on the hip over the weekend, according to Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, and may not return to the field this week.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL media, Harvin received a cortisone injection over the weekend, which KJR's Jason Puckett said was what Carroll was referring to when he said Harvin had a "little procedure." Seattle and Harvin will now play a waiting game to see how the hip responds. According to Rapoport, it's possible the Seahawks will hold Harvin out for the rest of the regular season. Danny Kelly of Field Gulls said getting anything from Harvin during the regular season would be "gravy" but instead the focus is on the long-term:
My guess is that this will continue to go day-to-day, and this may happen even into the Playoffs as the rehab continues. If Harvin can contribute before the end of the regular season is over, that's gravy, but for now I'm not counting on him all too much. When Carroll talks about getting Harvin back for the 'longer haul' you have to think he means the Playoffs and further out, the rest of Harvin's contract.
Sean Lee will play on Monday
The Dallas Cowboys are in the thick of the playoff race and will get one of their best players back for the stretch run. After missing two games due to a hamstring injury, middle linebacker Sean Lee will play on Monday night against Chicago.
Lee is arguably Dallas' best defensive player and one of the top middle linebackers in the NFL. He's second on the team in tackles and leads the Cowboys with four interceptions, despite missing two games. Dallas is last in the NFL in yards allowed, so it can use any defensive boost it can get.
Tomlin insists sideline incident wasn't intentional
Mike Tomlin has taken considerable flak for his sideline incident in Week 13, but the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach said he's surprised some think his actions were intentional.
"Shocking to me that my actions have been perceived in any way as intentional," Tomlin said, "I have no desire to defend my character against things of that nature. I have become comfortable with the fact that in these positions, you get judged a certain way."
Instead, Tomlin called the situation a blunder and took full responsibility. He said he talked to commissioner Roger Goodell and others in the NFL offices. Some said Tomlin's actions appeared intentional after new video was released on Monday which appeared to show Tomlin stepping onto the field shortly before Jacoby Jones had cut to avoid him.
Brett Keisel ruled out for Week 14
At 5-7 and facing the 6-6 Miami Dolphins this week, the Steelers may need a win if they are going to remain in the wild card race. If Pittsburgh is going to knock off Miami, it will have to do so without Brett Keisel. The defensive end has already been ruled out of the game, due to a nagging foot injury.
Keisel is suffering from plantar fasciitis. After missing two games due to the injury, he attempted to play last week. Keisel, however, suffered a setback on Thursday and will now miss at least Week 14. Keisel isn't the only injured Steeler and Neil Coolong of Behind the Steel Curtain wrote that injuries are once again the story of Pittsburgh's season:
While there really isn't any other option, it's still hard to look at either of the past two seasons and not feel a sense of loss. So many empty snaps taken by the guys backing up the starters. Adversity is no doubt a part of the game, but so is the league rule capping a maximum roster size at 53 players. Teams have to really work in excellence to have a starter and a starting-caliber back-up at most positions.
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