Top CB out, doubtful RB, “ Snacks ” likely to play

The Seahawks are entering a key Division game with the Los Angeles Rams and they will be without a few key starters and risk missing more once game time runs out.

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On Friday, the Seahawks excluded starting cornerback Shaquill Griffin and starting center Ethan Pocic as well as back-up defensive tackle Bryan Mone from the competition. Griffin has a hamstring injury, Pocic has a concussion, and Mone has an injured ankle. They later ruled out cornerback Quinton Dunbar after calling him dubious.

Before Dunbar was ruled out, head coach Pete Carroll said on Friday that Dunbar was unlikely to make the trip. He did not practice this week and Carroll said they did rehabilitation work on Dunbar’s injured knee.

“It will take time to take advantage of the rehabilitation. He’s making good progress but not enough to play in the game, ”Carroll said.

With those two, Tre Flowers will get the starting sign at the outside cornerback. Who starts in front of him is a bit of a question mark.

Seattle will likely have four options: Ryan Neal, DJ Reed, Linden Stephens, and Neiko Thorpe. Neal has mostly played safety this season but has experience at the cornerback, while Stephens hasn’t played much in the NFL and Reed has mostly played nickel and safety, but it has been said that he could handle the game away from home. Carroll has said Thorpe, who was on reserve injured due to a hip injury, is ready to play. He is also captain of the Seattle special teams.

“We’re really excited to get it back,” Carroll said.

With Pocic out, Kyle Fuller will get his first career NFL start at center. Carroll said he was a tough physical player and ready to play.

“He was right there on the edge of the entry and the game,” Carroll said, noting that some first-time offensive linemen like Jordan Simmons two seasons ago have had success against the Rams. “… Kyle will be ready to go.” He’s going to do a good job for us.

The long injury report continued, however, with seven players listed as questionable. Those seven were running backs Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde, defensive ends Benson Mayowa and Alton Robinson, receivers Freddie Swain and Penny Hart, and linebacker KJ Wright.

Carroll said the top two running backs both appeared to be playing decisions after missing the past two weeks. Carson has an injured foot and Hyde has an injured hamstring. Hyde trained on Friday and Carson did some races, and Carroll thinks Carson has a better chance of playing.

“We think Chris has a chance if we don’t do it too early, which is why we decided not to put him on the pitch today. He always worked and ran and all that, ”Carroll said. “Carlos, it was a chance for him to show (he was ready) and he looked pretty good today. We’ll have to see how it goes.

Wright, the team’s starting linebacker, should be able to play despite an ankle injury he sustained in last week’s loss to the Buffalo Bills.

“We waited until today (for him to practice) and he looked good today so there is a very good chance he is OK for the game,” said Carroll.

Mayowa, one of the team’s best passing throwers, is likely out again. Carroll said he “hasn’t quite come all the way home.”

“We’ll see how it goes when we record him tomorrow morning, but he hasn’t made his way back to the training ground yet, so it’s a long shot for him to come back,” Carroll said. .

Good news for the Seahawks is that starting left goalie Mike Iupati and nickel corner Ugo Amadi are off the injury report after missing the last few games.

In addition, recently signed defensive tackle Damon “Snacks” Harrison will likely play with Mone out. Carroll did not specifically say he would be activated by the practice squad, but said he was excited to see him play after spending the past few weeks getting in shape.

“He worked really hard to be able to go there and I really hope he is successful and has fun playing football again and gets some of it back,” he said. . “… The style of play he brings suits us very well.”

You can listen to Carroll’s full Friday press conference on the Seahawks official YouTube page here.

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