‘Injury bug’ hits Payne

Published 10:39 pm Sunday, September 14, 2008

‘Injury bug’ hits Payne

By Scott M. Johnson

Herald Writer

SEATTLE ­— As understatements go, Logan Payne delivered the Mona Lisa late Sunday afternoon.

“It’s tough, man. It seems like we’ve got the injury bug,” the Seattle Seahawks’ receiver said Sunday while balancing himself on crutches after suffering a knee injury in a 33-30 loss to San Francisco.

Payne was, by most counts, the sixth Seattle receiver to suffer a significant injury this season. Shortly after quarterback/receiver Seneca Wallace was ruled out because of a calf injury he suffered in pre-game warmups, Payne went down with a knee injury while catching a pass over the middle.

It marred what was supposed to be a big day for Payne, who was making his first NFL start.

“I was excited to go out and help my team,” he said. “It was a tough day.”

While Payne was holding out hope that the knee injury was not severe, coach Mike Holmgren sounded as if the Seahawks could be in the market for yet another wide receiver this week.

“He has a torn ligament,” Holmgren said, without getting specific about which ligament. “I don’t know how long it’s going to be.”

Asked whether he thinks he has a chance to come back this season, Payne quoted the band Journey.

“Don’t stop believing,” he said.