Seahawks receiving corps takes another hit as David Moore injures shoulder and will be ‘out a while’

RENTON, Wash. – A Seahawks receiving corps that already was going to lean heavily on young players to make a big impact this season has lost one of its few veterans – David Moore – for at least the regular-season opener and likely much longer.

Coach Pete Carroll revealed Friday that Moore suffered a shoulder injury in practice Thursday and that he is likely headed to an extended absence.

“He is going to be out a while,’’ said Carroll of Moore, who has spent all of the preseason working as one of the starters in the team’s three-receiver sets alongside Tyler Lockett and Jaron Brown.

Moore caught 26 passes last season for Seattle in what was first full year in the NFL and second overall, scoring five touchdowns – tied for second most among the team’s receivers – and with a 17.1-yard-per-catch average that was the best among Seattle’s regular receivers.

Take out Moore, and aside from Lockett and Brown, the rest of the receivers on Seattle’s roster have a combined 10 career receptions – eight from Amara Darboh, who has not played since 2017.

A report from the NFL Network stated that Moore is getting a second opinion on the shoulder and that for now, he is not expected to require surgery. The Seattle Times confirmed that as of now, surgery does not appear to be in the cards for Moore while the team and Moore figure out the best way to treat his injury (Carroll did not give specifics of what it is).

But it remains unclear how long Moore will be out, with Carroll saying “I’ll let you know more when I know more about it.’’

But asked if Moore could be available for the start of the regular season, Carroll said that he won’t be.

Seattle also is without rookie DK Metcalf, who had surgery on his knee Tuesday. Carroll said on Friday that Metcalf has had no swelling in the knee since the surgery and said again the team is hopeful of a quick recovery and that Metcalf will be “active’’ next week, apparently meaning getting work in practice. But he did not say that Metcalf will be ready for the regular-season opener Sept. 8 against the Bengals.

“We will keep our fingers crossed that he can make it back quickly,” Carroll said of Metcalf.

Moore and Metcalf had projected as two of the team’s top four receivers after Lockett and Brown.

Now, the only other two receivers on the roster who have a reception in an NFL game are Darboh and Malik Turner, who had two last season. Turner was the only other receiver to play a snap with the starting unit last week at Minnesota other than Lockett, Brown and Moore.

Darboh, a third-round pick in 2017 who has yet to play in the preseason but is healthy and expected to play significantly against the Chargers Saturday, could also suddenly become a factor, especially playing on the outside, where Moore has spent most of his time.

Rookies such as Gary Jennings, John Ursua and Jazz Ferguson all could have not only a better chance to make the roster but also could be called on to play more significant roles early on with Moore out and Metcalf uncertain.

Also in the mix at receiver for a roster spot are slot receivers Keenan Reynolds (who played in two games last season but did not make a catch) and rookie Terry Wright.

Seattle could also look to bring in a veteran, and especially may look to do so next week once teams have to begin cutting their rosters to 53 following the final preseason games on Thursday.

Seattle also will have to weigh what to do with Moore. Putting him on the injured reserve list before the cutdown date to 53 on Aug. 31 would mean he is done for the season. But if the team keeps Moore on the initial 53-man roster, then he could return after missing eight games. NFL teams can recall two players a year who are placed on IR after the initial 53-man roster is set.