Report: Malik McDowell suffered extensive brain and eye trauma
ByDerek Lewis Apr 18, 2018
The situation with the Seattle Seahawks top 2017 draft pick,
Malik McDowell, has cost all parties so much. Of course, the most tragic part remains McDowell's quality of life. Without knowing the full extent of the damage, any injury that threatens a career likely isn't any fun to endure on a daily basis. Speaking of his career, the injuries suffered have already cost him his rookie season in 2017 and remain career-threatening at this point. From the team's perspective, they'll lose their highest draft pick from 2017 and a potential pass-rushing dynamo with the frame and speed to shift to multiple place along their defensive line.
The injury has already cost them wide receiver
Jermaine Kearse and a second-round pick because they were tasked with filling the void and traded for defensive tackle
Sheldon Richardson to do just that. In the end, all three assets were lost for nothing. It appears the team won't even secure a compensatory pick back for Richardson who left in free agency for the Minnesota Vikings, as they've signed more players than they've lost this offseason. So it's been significant damage for both sides.
But up until this point, McDowell's damage has remained a mystery for the most part. It's known the ATV accident prior to training camp that started this fiasco caused a concussion issues and facial injuries but it's been unknown why those injuries have been so devastating. Although the full picture hasn't come into view as of yet. More information is slowly coming to the forefront.
According to Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson, McDowell suffered extensive brain and eye trauma from the accident and it's been clear from the beginning it was a long shot he'd ever play again, despite the young defenders claims to the contrary early amid the original chaos.
"My injury is not life or career threatening as some have speculated," McDowell
released via statement in last July immediately following the incident. "I am grateful for the support I've received from the Seahawks organization, my doctors and my family. You will see me back on the field in the near future."
As of now, the near future remains at a distance. The team's first 2017 second-round pick has not been cleared by the Seahawks medical staff and reportedly could be released very soon with McDowell hoping another team will clear him. However, that course of action seems unlikely, if the team that's already invested so much in him and a potential stopgap replacement no longer has faith in a recovery. If they do release McDowell, it could prompt them to look defensive tackle much earlier than expected in the 2018 draft.
The team has young options for the future in
Jarran Reed and
Nazair Jones and even some stopgap options for 2018 with veterans
Tom Johnson and
Shamar Stephen. But none can boast the versatility that McDowell had to offer. With first-round talent, questions about his motor and dedication dropped him to round two but there were no questions about his ability.
Can the Seahawks find their way to another player like McDowell this season with the size and athleticism to play all across their line? If not, they do have defensive end
Dion Jordan who has similar attributes to fill a void previously encapsulated by
Michael Bennett. But, you can never have too many versatile defensive lineman.
Meanwhile, in terms of McDowell and his future, the more information that comes out the less it feels likely he'll ever step foot on a practice field let alone a NFL field. Yet and still, more information needs to emerge and likely will, especially if the team releases him as reported.