Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu will miss
the rest of the season after undergoing surgery to repair his torn pectoral
muscle Thursday.
Tatupu visited renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday in Birmingham,
Alabama for a second opinion. Thursday's surgery, performed by Andrews, came
after head coach Jim Mora Jr. had raised the possibility of the three-time Pro
Bowl selection returning this season.
The initial injury came in a Week 6 setback to the Arizona Cardinals, after
which Seattle had its bye week. The fifth-year veteran has 21 tackles and one
sack on the year.
Second-year pro David Hawthorne will step into the middle linebacker position
and make his second career start on Sunday versus Dallas. Hawthorne started in
place of Tatupu in a Week 3 loss to the Bears and recorded and interception
and 16 tackles.
In six games this season, the 24-year-old Texas Christian product has 27
tackles and the pick to his credit.
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