Seahawks K Steven Hauschka Leaves Game with Ankle Injury, Returns for Short Field Goal
Coming into the wildcard match up between The Washington Redskins and the Seattle Seahawks, the injury discussion started and ended with Robert Griffin III. While RG3 players through a complicated knee issue, another injury may have a greater impact on the game than RG3. Late in the second quarter, Seahawks place kicker Steven Hauschka went into the locker room with an apparent left ankle injury, but returned to the game to make a short field goal before the half. Hauschka did miss one kick off, and punter Jon Ryan kicked a line drive to the ten yard line. Reports from FedEx Field claim the turf has been slick with player footing becoming an issue. Hauschka may have injured his non-kicking ankle while planting that foot on a previous kick. Even though Hauschka was able to return and make a short field goal before the end of the half, the Seahawks will have to reevaluate their kicking game in the second half. It is safe to assume the Hauschka's range will be slightly diminished in the second half, if he is able to kick at all. Punter Jon Ryan has never kicked a field goal in the NFL. As this game develops remember that field goals will be an issue for the Seahawks. The coaching staff must determine whether they will trust Hauschka for the rest of the game and reevaluate what distance they are comfortable attempting a field goal. These seemingly small decisions could greatly effect how this game is coached down the stretch, especially the last two minutes.
