Seattle Seahawks' All-Pro safety Thomas carted off, makes obscene gesture

Seattle Seahawks All-Pro safety Earl Thomas was carted off the field with about nine minutes left in the game Sunday, his left leg in an air cast.

Seattle Seahawks All-Pro safety Earl Thomas has carted off the field with about nine minutes left in the game Sunday, his left leg in an air cast.

As he was being carted off, the 29-year-old Thomas made an obscene gesture toward his own team's sideline, raising his middle finger. It was unclear for whom the gesture was intended, as Thomas was on the other side of the field near the Arizona Cardinals' sideline.

Thomas went down in the end zone as the Cardinals scored a touchdown on a 22-yard Josh Rosen pass to Chad Williams with 8:59 left.

While there has been no official word from the team, Seahawks broadcaster Steve Raible -- a former player with the team -- speculated it was a broken leg.

The Seahawks won the game 20-17.

Thomas' relationship with the Seahawks has grown contentious recently over a contract dispute. Thomas, a three-time first-team All-Pro, held out from all offseason activities and didn't report to training camp while entering the final year of his contract. He wanted a new multi-year deal, and if the Seahawks weren't going to accommodate his request, Thomas wanted to be traded. He singled out Dallas as his preferred destination, but that didn't happen.

He has missed several practices this season, indicating he wanted to preserve his body to sign a long-term contract as a free agent after the season. The team reportedly fined Thomas for two missed sessions last week. Despite missing practices, Thomas has been productive, notching three interceptions in as many games entering Sunday.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday morning that the Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs were in trade discussions but couldn't agree on compensation. Schefter said the Chiefs were thought to be the favourite to acquire him should the Seahawks decide to trade him.

Thomas' dissatisfaction with the team was evident on the day he reported to camp when he posted this to Instagram:

"I worked my whole life for this..... I've never let my teammates, city or fans down as long as I've lived and don't plan on starting this weekend," he wrote, his words accompanied by a photo of him sitting on a weight bench. "With that being said, the disrespect has been well noted and will not be forgotten. Father Time may have an undefeated record but best believe I plan on taking him into triple overtime when it comes to my career."

Thomas broke his left leg in December 2016.