Earl Thomas carted off the field with fractured leg

GLENDALE, Ariz. – It’s what Earl Thomas had been afraid of.

The Seattle Seahawks’ Pro Bowl free safety was taken off the field on a cart on Sunday in the fourth quarter of the Seahawks’ 20-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

Thomas left the field in an air cast, and coach Pete Carroll said after the game that it was a fractured lower leg.

"I love Earl," Carroll said. "I’ve always loved him, everything he’s ever done for us, everything he’s stood for. He’s been a leader and just the guy out in front always with unbelievable heart and competitiveness and drive to be great. I’ve admired it the whole time. It wasn’t always smooth, but it was always good."

The injury came on a scoring play for the Cardinals, when Josh Rosen connected with Chad Williams for a 22-yard touchdown.

Thomas skipped all of training camp and didn’t return to the team until the week before the season opener. He’s in the final year of his contract, and has said he plans to focus on staying healthy.

The injury happened on the same field on which Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman were hurt last season, the final Seahawks game for both.

As Thomas was being carted off the field, he appeared to make an obscene gesture.