The Seattle Seahawks turned heads when they claimed wide receiver Josh Gordon off waivers after his release from the New England Patriots.
Gordon joins a wide receiver group that already features speedy veteran Tyler Lockett and standout rookie DK Metcalf, creating the potential for Seattle’s passing offense to catch fire like never before in the Pete Carroll era.
However, Carroll has emphasized Gordon would have to learn the offense quickly and be healthy to be an immediate contributor. Gordon has seen limited participation in practice with an ankle injury.
“If he does really well during the week and feels really comfortable with the things we’re asking of him and we can look at him and feel like, OK, he can definitely contribute and go in there and play ball at a really high level, execute on the things we can ask him to do,” Carroll told reporters Thursday.
Carroll has been adamant since day one that Seattle will take its time working Gordon into the lineup. With other weapons already surrounding Russell Wilson, Carroll wants Gordon to be a complementary piece of the puzzle.
“He’s a big, good looking kid and all that,” Carroll said. “He’s just got to fit in and see if we can fit it together where it’s not a distraction for us. We’re not going to put him in the game to throw him the ball. We’re trying to win a football game. If he can help us do that then we’ll figure out a way.”
The Seahawks are heading into their biggest game of the season Week 10, a divisional showdown with the still-undefeated San Francisco 49ers on Monday night. The Seahawks and their fans hope Gordon – if he’s active – can make a significant impact to tip the scales in Seattle’s favor.
