Tory

Horton

The Seahawks shut Horton down after trading for WR Rashid Shaheed last year, citing a new shin injury. The trade came as a surprise. He and Shaheed possess similar skill sets, and Horton had already set two franchise records, so replacing him in the lineup due to poor play did not add up. Apparently, Horton played through discomfort in his shin for five games until the pain led to imaging, revealing a crack in his shin. Horton attempted to avoid surgery, but it was ultimately deemed necessary in February 2026, delaying his return. Bell adds that the coaching staff is “excited and curious to unleash” Horton and Shaheed in the same formations, “challenging the deep coverage of defenses.” Stressing the defense vertically should open up the short-to-intermediate areas of the field as well. Shaheed will likely be the more reliable boom-bust FLEX and could even ascend to WR3 status, but it is nice to know that the coaching staff still views Horton positively after the surprising in-season trade last year.

Per The Tacoma News Tribune’s Gregg Bell, Horton is already “running smoothly” in his return from a November 2025 shin injury. That said, the Seahawks are still limiting his reps. Through the first two practices, he worked with QB Sam Darnold in group drills and fielded punts from P Michael Dickson before observing 11-on-11 drills. On Sunday, he spent time running routes with a trainer while his teammates ran 7-on-7s. Hopefully, the rest of his ramp-up period goes smoothly.

Back in May, Macdonald thought Horton would have a chance to return in time for the Seahawks’ three-day mandatory minicamp, which is currently underway. That will not happen. Macdonald said, “it’s still all positive,” when asked about Horton’s rehab. He just needs a little more time. Horton injured his shin in practice, early in November last year. The team waited until later in the month to move him to injured reserve, where he spent the remainder of the season. Horton’s skill set overlaps with WR Rashid Shaheed, who secured a big payday this offseason. It could be tough for Horton to earn reliable playing time this year.

Macdonald said there is a “chance” Horton could return at “the end of spring.” Horton suffered a shin injury towards the end of his rookie campaign last year, ending his rookie season early. The 23-year-old looks to compete with Rashid Shaheed for targets on offense, with both having similar skillsets. Horton finished the 2025 season with a 13/161/5 receiving line, also returning punts and scoring one touchdown as a returner. Macdonald mentioned that Horton received good news that could accelerate his return timeline and that we could see him on the field as early as the end of spring OTAs. It’s still early to tell what his role may be for the Seahawks in 2026, but Horton is worth a dart throw as a WR5 in fantasy drafts.

He got “fixed up” in Macdonald’s lingo — we assume that means surgery — and is likely questionable for the start of training camp given how much time he missed with this shin injury in the 2025 season. If healthy, Horton could challenge for a real role next year depending on if the Seahawks bring Rashid Shaheed back or not.

Horton reportedly injured his shin while rehabbing a groin injury in Week 10, just two days after the Seahawks acquired WR Rashid Shaheed via trade. It was an extremely unfortunate series of events for the young, speedy receiver and return specialist. Horton never retook the field after that. In Weeks 1-9, Horton caught 13-of-22 targets for 161 yards and five touchdowns. He also returned 16 punts for 238 yards and one touchdown. In Week 3, Horton set the franchise record for the longest punt return in Seahawks history, a 95-yard touchdown, and became the third Seahawk ever to score a punt return touchdown and a receiving touchdown in the same game. Horton’s fantasy viability in 2026 remains uncertain. The team could choose to re-sign Shaheed, an impending free agent, and WR Cooper Kupp is under contract through 2027.

Horton had already been ruled out for Week 12 after also missing Week 10 and Week 11, mean he will miss a minimum of six games while dealing with a shin injury that popped up before the team’s Week 10 contest. His absence means far less than it otherwise would had the team not traded for veteran Rashid Shaheed at the deadline, something that now looks more substantial considering Horton’s placement on injured reserve.

Horton hasn’t practiced since the Wednesday of Week 11, and the Seahawks immediately eased up on him. It wouldn’t be surprising if he gets sent to injured reserve soon, though we feel like we’ve been saying that all month. With Rashid Shaheed on the roster anyway, fantasy managers in re-draft leagues can simply move on if they haven’t already.

The Seahawks removed Horton’s groin injury from the injury report. That must have been some shin injury he suffered at Week 10’s Thursday practice session. The rookie wide receiver appears to be heading toward another game-day absence. Hopefully, he can return next week.

Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said it was too early to know if Horton will play this week. A DNP on Wednesday is usually a sign that a player isn’t going to suit up, especially if they missed the previous game. Horton hasn’t played since Week 9. The team traded for Rashid Shaheed in his absence, so his role will likely be minor when he returns. Fantasy managers can likely cut ties with Horton this week.