Seattle Seahawks S Earl Thomas thinking about 'retirement' after leg injury

SEATTLE -- Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas left Sunday night's game with a lower-leg fracture early in the second quarter. He collided with a teammate while breaking up a pass by Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton.

Thomas was helped off the field and immediately carted to the locker room. The team announced he would not return.

NBC's broadcast of the game reported Thomas was later seen on crutches. Later in the second half, Thomas tweeted, "A lot is running through my mind including retirement."

Thomas had returned to action Sunday after missing the first regular-season game of his career the previous week with a hamstring injury. Seattle lost 14-5 to Tampa Bay in his absence.