Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas is expected to be ready for the start of the 2017 season, coach Pete Carroll said Thursday.
"I think so," Carroll told reporters. "All indications are that he will make it back. He's doing very well."
Thomas suffered a season-ending fractured tibia in his left leg in Week 13 and contemplated retirement before ultimately deciding that he'd like to return to the NFL. He had played in 118 straight games before suffering a hamstring injury and then the leg injury last year.
"I'm coming back to prove I'm the best," Thomas told ESPN NFL Insider Ed Werder on Thursday. "I'm coming back to help my team win a championship."
Without Thomas on the field, the Seahawks allowed 12 passing touchdowns and managed just one interception.
"It was a big shock to him, and he had never been injured before like that," Carroll said. "He's feeling very competitive about it, and he's going for it, and his mentality is strong. He's looking forward to getting right."
On the offensive side of the ball, Carroll said wide receiver Tyler Lockett has "a really good chance" to also be ready for the start of the season. Lockett suffered a fractured tibia and fibula in his right leg in Week 16 and had surgery.
Lockett had 41 catches for 597 yards and had taken over as a starter before suffering the injury.