The home-field advantage for the Seattle Seahawks just got even sweeter with the announcement that wide receiver Percy Harvin is "feeling great" and will return Saturday when the Seahawks host the New Orleans Saints in the Divisional Playoffs.
"I'm feeling great," Harvin said after Thursday's practice, according to ESPN. "I didn't have any setbacks. These practices have been very good. I'm really confident about this game."
Harvin has only played in one game and for 19 snaps thus far this season, returning from surgery on his hip that he underwent on Aug. 1 in Week 11 when the Seahawks took down his former team the Minnesota Vikings 41-20 on Nov. 17. Following the game, Harvin suffered a setback with pain and swelling in the hip and didn't practice until last week.
But now, Harvin is back when the Seahawks need him most.
"I know it has been frustrating for a lot of people," Harvin said via ESPN. "My hat's off to this organization for staying patient with me. I'm ready to make it all pay off."
Seattle coach Pete Carroll told ESPN that there will be no limitations put on Harvin upon his return and that the team will use him to the fullest extent necessary to ensure they get a win over the Saints and punch their ticket to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 2005 when the team went all the way to the Super Bowl and fell short against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
"It's been a long, long haul for a guy that's such a great competitor. We've been so close so many times to taking this step. We just waited it out as long as we could," Carroll said per ESPN. "The couple weeks we gained [with the first-round bye last week] made a difference. Percy stuck to it and never backed off the process of the rehab. We're anxious to add him to the mix."
ESPN reports that Harvin plans on returning kickoffs as well as playing receiver. In his only game this season, Harvin had one reception for 17 yards.
"This is a fantastic group led by No. 3 [quarterback Russell Wilson]," Harvin told ESPN. "I'm just looking to fit in any way I can. The foundation is set. I'm just looking to jump on the bus and enjoy the ride."
The Seahawks finished 13-3 this season and are a favorite to make it to the Super Bowl as the NFC representative and make it back to MetLife Stadium--home of this year's Super Bowl--the place where they shutout the New York Giants 23-0 on Dec. 15 in Week 15.
Harvin said while it will be in the back of his mind, he'll try not to worry about suffering another setback.
"It goes through my mind," Harvin told ESPN. "But I'm just gonna cut it loose. I made all the cuts in practice that I possibly could do in the game. I felt no limitations, and no swelling came back. I'm gonna go out there and give it all I have."
The Seahawks host the Saints--who they beat 34-7 in Week 13 on Dec. 2--Saturday at 1:35 p.m. ET.
© 2023 Sportsworldnews.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
