Cade Johnson in stable condition at hospital. Left Seahawks’ preseason game on a stretcher
Wide receiver Cade Johnson was in stable condition at a Seattle hospital being checked for possible head and neck injuries after he left the Seahawks’ first preseason game with his head and neck immobilized to a stretcher.
The third-year veteran who caught the first two passes of his NFL career last season for Seattle went into the medical-observation tent behind the Seahawks’ bench late in the second quarter of Thursday night’s game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lumen Field. It was moments after he took a hard hit on a kickoff return. Fellow wide receiver Tyler Lockett soon went into the tent to be with Johnson.
The Seahawks announced that “as a precaution,” Johnson was taken by ambulance to Harborview Medical Center for possible head and neck injuries. The team said he was in stable condition.
Coach Pete Carroll said following Seattle’s 24-13 victory the team got positive reports from Harborview on initial neurological tests. Johnson had a concussion.
“The first that we heard is there are no findings. He got concussed, but there are no findings beyond that,” Carroll said. “So we got a real good report. I’m hoping that’s conclusive, but that’s what we heard.”
Lockett, who like 15 other regular Seahawks starters was not playing Thursday, jogged from Johnson in the observation tent to the team’s locker room. Lockett returned a moment later. He appeared to be holding a mobile phone or similar device.
He and Noah Fant then walked with Johnson as medical assistants pushed him on the wheeled stretcher to the tunnel in the southeast corner of the stadium. That’s where an ambulance parks during Seahawks home games.
Johnson, 25, started the game. He had no catches on two targets from backup quarterback Drew Lock in the first half Thursday.
It was an unusual injury sequence given what is customary in this violent sport.
Johnson did not need assistance from trainers or medical personnel to leave the field while he played on his final series of the game in the second quarter. By the time he was taken out of the tent onto the stretcher, his helmet, jersey and shoulder pads were off.
About 20 minutes later, a spokesman for the Seahawks confirmed it was Johnson who was injured and taken to Harborview.
His three games last season were the first regular-season ones of his pro career. He played collegiately at South Dakota State. Seattle signed him as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2021. He was also part of their special-teams units. He has practiced as a kickoff and punt returner.
This story was originally published August 10, 2023 at 8:59 PM.
