KIRKLAND, Wash. -- Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Chad Eaton, who has had two operations on his right knee since May, was
placed on injured reserve Tuesday, suggesting his season is over.
Coach Mike Holmgren, though, said he couldn't rule out Eaton's
return.
"There are options we have at the club's disposal, if Chad's
willing to do some things,'' Holmgren said. "We just have to see.
It would be premature to talk about any right now. Let's just see
how it goes.''
The Seahawks apparently are considering reaching an injury
settlement with Eaton, which would make him a free agent. He could
re-sign with Seattle when he is healthy and return to the lineup this season.
The risk, of course, is having another team sign Eaton after the
injury settlement.
Eaton is a proven run-stopper who started every game the past
two years after joining the Seahawks as a free agent. He had spent
the previous five seasons with New England after one year on the
practice squad in Cleveland.
Eaton, who played college football at Washington State, was
entering his eighth NFL season. He wasn't at team headquarters
Tuesday.
He had surgery in May to remove bone chips from his knee, an
operation a team spokesman said wasn't performed by Seahawks
doctors.
His second surgery, on Aug. 10, was done by team doctors during
training camp. At the time, it was characterized as an effort to
reduce continued swelling. Eaton was expected to miss one month.
Last season, the 6-foot-5, 303-pound Eaton recovered three
fumbles and recorded a sack while leading Seattle's defensive
linemen with 73 tackles. He was an emotional leader on the line.
"It's my 11th year. I'm no longer shocked by anything,''
linebacker Chad Brown said. "Players will see things from a
player's perspective. The coach's job is to detach from the emotion
and try to get the best players on the team. So apparently, he made
that decision.''
The position is expected to be filled by Norman Hand, obtained
from New Orleans in a draft-day trade this year, and fourth-year
veteran Cedric Woodard.
Reserve receiver Jason Willis, who has a broken right thumb,
also went on injured reserve.