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Earlier today, Seattle Seahawks WR Percy Harvin underwent an exam to get a second opinion on his hip injury, and it turns out he will need surgery.
when everything is goin good sometimes life throw u a curve ball... sorry to half to report that my injury will require surgery...
— Percy Harvin (@Percy_Harvin) July 30, 2013
There is already a lot of speculation about the timeline for Harvin's return. Ian Rapoport tweeted that he was informed it could be 3-4 months of recovery. Obviously that means Harvin would miss the 49ers-Seahawks SNF game in Week 2. Harvin is on the Active/PUP list right now, and the Seahawks will have the choice to either place him on Reserve/PUP or use the injured reserve with return designation.
The Seahawks are a worse team without Harvin in the lineup (duh!), but they are still a quality team. They have their share of question marks, particularly at wide receiver, but much like the 49ers, other receivers will have to step up. Their most experienced receiver is Sidney Rice, but he is off in Switzerland undergoing a stem cell injection procedure for his knee. Golden Tate is their next best option at this point.
One big difference between the loss of Harvin and the loss of Crabtree is that the 49ers at least have a stable veteran in Anquan Boldin. And of course, the 49ers have a hugely dynamic receiving threat in Vernon Davis. Both teams will have strong rushing attacks, but the Seahawks likely could have to lean on their rushing attack even more. Both teams have young quarterbacks, but Colin Kaepernick would appear to be in a better situation heading into 2013. Russell Wilson is plenty talented, but that talent will be put to the test without Harvin for potentially a sizable chunk of the season.
Some will be quick to dismiss Seattle, and I can see why. That being said, they remain a dangerous team with Marshawn Lynch leading a talented rushing attack, and Russell Wilson behind center. Maybe they don't recover from this, but I think they deserve the benefit of the doubt for now.