AP

The Seahawks feared the worst when defensive end Michael Bennett was taken off the field on a stretcher.

So it stands to figure that they played their best when he walked back into the stadium.

According to Todd Dybas of the Tacoma News-Tribune, the Seahawks gained an emotional lift when Bennett returned from the hospital and came back to the sidelines rejoin his teammates.

“It was an emotional time for us as a defense,” cornerback Richard Sherman said. “He’s kind of the spark plug in our defense. He came back [to the sidelines] with tears in his eyes. It kind of got us teary-eyed, it got us emotional, it got us ready to go. Because guys you grind with, guys that you fight with, you never want to see them out of the game. You never want to see them carted off in that kind of way.

“It’s hard on your heart.”



Bennett was doubled back awkwardly, and it appeared he suffered some kind of neck injury. But after being taken to a nearby hospital for tests, it was revealed to be a strained muscle in his lower back.

“They were just really concerned because it was close to his vertebrae,” Carroll said. “They weren’t sure what it was, so they took good care of him.”

While they don’t know yet whether he’ll be available this week, getting back on his feet clearly inspired his teammates.