Seahawks' Percy Harvin to have hip surgery, may miss much of season

SEATTLE -- In crushing news for Seahawks fans, wide receiver Percy Harvin tweeted on Tuesday that he will need hip surgery.

Photo courtesy of Seahawks

"When everything is goin good sometimes life throw u a curve ball... sorry to half to report that my injury will require surgery...," Harvin tweeted. "Nobody was more anxious and excited about season then....but I will be back strong as ever..i appreciate all the love and prayers 12th man."

Harvin posted the tweet after seeing a specialist in New York Tuesday about a slight tear in the labrum in his hip. It was only disclosed last week that Harvin had a hip problem.

After meeting with the Seahawks team doctor about the problem, Harvin decided to seek a second opinion from a physician in New York.

Clare Farnsworth, who writes for seahawks.com, said Harvin will have surgery on Thursday to deal with the injury that forced the Seahawks to place the receiver/returner/runner on the physical unable to perform list when training camp opened last week.

It's not known how long Harvin will take to recover from the surgery, but after signing a 6-year $67 million contract with the Seahawks his presence on the team was anticipated to help them bolster their already strong standing.

It's believed that Harvin might be able to return to help the Seahawks sometime after Thanksgiving or in December.

Harvin was obtained from the Minnesota Vikings his year for the Seahawks 2013 first-round draft choice and a 7th-round draft choice and a 2014 third-round draft choice.

The speedster was seen as key to improving Seattle's vertical passing game this year.

It was also disclosed by coach Pete Carroll on Tuesday that another starting Seahawks wide receiver, Sidney Rice, had left training camp to go to Switzerland to receive non-surgical treatment on one of his knees.

Carroll is optimistic that Rice will not miss any games.