Percy Harvin will not play in Sunday's NFC title game, the Seattle Seahawks announced Friday. Harvin, who fought injury all season, is nursing a concussion from last week.
The news is to a blow to the Seahawks as they prepare to face the San Francisco 49ers at 6:30 p.m. ET Sunday. The game's winner will place the AFC champion in the Super Bowl XCVIII. The New England Patriots visit the Denver Broncos, kickoff 3 p.m. ET, in Sunday's first game.
Coach Pete Carroll confirmed Harvin's absence. It was somewhat surprising, although he didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday. Harvin had yet to pass NFL-mandated concussion tests.
"He will not make it through the doctors' protocol and will not be able to go," Carroll said. "It's super disappointing for Percy — he wants to play. You can see it, he played his tail off when he had his chance, it's just unfortunate circumstances."
Should the Seahawks win, Harvin could appear in the Super Bowl.
The Seahawks have gotten little from Harvin after paying a large price to acquire him from the Minnesota Vikings. In a March deal the Vikings received Seattle's first-, third- and seventh-round picks, and then they signed Harvin to a six-year, $67 million contract.
Injuries detailed Harvin plans. He appeared in one regular-season game and was KO'd in the second quarter last week against the New Orleans Saints.
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