No doubt that Seahawks' safety Earl Thomas will play in Super Bowl 49, but there is also no doubt that Seattle’s defensive lynch pin will need a shoulder harness and alter his game to do so. Also look for an announcement of surgery sometime after the big game.
Thomas will be limited in the big game
Thomas returned to limited practice on Friday after missing several days and is listed officially as questionable. He initially injured his left shoulder on a tackle as he fell on his outstretched arm. By video, it appeared that his shoulder
transiently came out of the socket.
Initial injury reports were non-specific and only indicated shoulder. In Thomas’ post game interview, he seemed to imply the shoulder came out. Later, Adam Schefter
confirmed it to be a dislocated shoulder.
The boney anatomy of the shoulder joint is not a ball and socket joint like the hip. Rather, it is more like a golf ball on a tee. This allows for free motion but stability depends on the labrum (edge of tee), which deepens the socket. In the vast majority of dislocated shoulders, the labrum is torn and stability is compromised much like how the golf ball needs to be delicately balanced on a chipped golf tee.
Because of the likely labral tear, expect Thomas to have surgery announced after the Super Bowl. In the short term, he can continue to play with a harness, but he will have to learn to play differently.
The brace functions to limit shoulder motion. Typically, the shoulder becomes unstable as the arm moves away from the body and the harness prevents this motion.
Although the brace allows Thomas to play, it will limit his mobility and change his play. He will not be able to reach up and out with his left arm to battle a receiver, bat down a ball or reach an interception. When he tackles, he will not be able to wrap up with his left shoulder. Instead, look for him to lower his shoulder to deliver a blow with his left arm at his side.
Thomas has already adjusted his play in the NFC Championship Game, he made a big second half tackle on Eddie Lacy by not wrapping up and lowering his left shoulder for a big hit. Contrary to the untrained eye, this is actually a safer technique that protects a previously dislocated shoulder. Thomas will play and be effective in Super Bowl 49, but as I said immediately after the injury, I am more worried about his shoulder than
Richard Sherman’s elbow. He will get through the game with a brace and altered style of play and then return to full form after off-season surgery.
