The Seahawks announced they have released defensive end Cliff Avril with a failed physical designation. Avril lost half of the 2017 season to a neck injury which reportedly could keep him from returning to the field.
In January, Avril said that he would push to continue playing.
“I believe so,” Avril said when asked if he will return to the NFL. “Right now it’s all about recovery. I had surgery. I’m in the process of recovering. It’s a long process, a long journey. When I get to the end of that, then I’ll figure out what’s next.
“I mean, it’s something I love to do. It’s what I’ve been doing forever and, just as a competitor, I want to show that I can come back if it’s possible, you know? You do see all the injuries. You see the game from a different perspective when you’re on the sideline. And those thoughts do definitely pop into my head of ‘should I come back or not?’ But again, right now it’s all about recovery.”
Avril, a 10-year veteran, was slated to carry a cap charge of nearly $8MM in 2018. By releasing him, the Seahawks will be left with just $500K in dead money.
In 2017, Avril played only 151 defensive snaps before going down and garnered a disappointing 44.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. That was the lowest mark of Avril’s career, and he’d been an exceptional player as recently as 2015. In his nine seasons leading up to ’17, Avril totaled 73 sacks, including 20.5 between 2015 and 2016.
Right now, it’s unclear as to whether another team would risk putting Avril on the field given his recent injury history.
I thought you couldn’t release players that were injured
That was the old CBA. Now if a player fails a physical during the offseason, or during preseason they can release him with a failures physical designation. Giants just did it with Brandon Marshall.
I have never had 2 slices of cheese on a hamburger.
or any brain cells that were not completely burned out!
Dolphins better go after him
I hope he’s able to return
Packers fans be like “I remember that dude from 5 years ago when he was with the Lions, get on the horn Ted Thompson!”
Another player gone from the SB run. Now all we can do is hope Kam can come back…It doesn’t look good though.
Seahawks suck now they just starting their pick frenzy like the browns.