Seahawks CB Tre Flowers, T Brandon Shell Doubtful to Play vs. Giants
While there's still a chance defensive end Carlos Dunlap could play on Sunday, the Seahawks listed cornerback Tre Flowers and right tackle Brandon Shell as doubtful to suit up against the Giants.
Still dealing with a high ankle sprain suffered in a win over Arizona in Week 11, Shell hasn't practiced this week and will likely miss his second straight game. According to coach Pete Carroll, he's made great progress this week and could be ready to return for Week 14 against his former team the New York Jets.
"He's really starting to move now," Carroll told reporters after Friday's practice. "It would be a surprise if he could play at all this weekend, but he's getting real close. I would think he's turned the corner to get well."
If Shell doesn't play as expected, Seattle could have a last-minute decision to make at right tackle. Cedric Ogbuehi, who started at the position on Monday in Philadelphia, was limited in Friday's practice due to a calf injury. Carroll indicated the decision to sit him was precautionary and he would be the starter on Sunday as long as he's healthy enough to play.
Despite playing every snap against the Eagles on Monday, Flowers came out of the game with a sore hamstring and hasn't been able to practice at all this week. It's just the latest injury for a Seahawks secondary that has been without Shaquill Griffin, Jamal Adams, and Quinton Dunbar for extended periods of time, as all three of those players have missed four games thus far this season.
"He's got something we have to deal with," Carroll said while clarifying Flowers had an MRI earlier this week. "It's not a serious hamstring injury, but it's enough to really bother him this week. To expect for him to turn around and bounce back around on this week is a lot to expect. We'll see what happens and we'll take him all the way up to the weekend."
Assuming Flowers doesn't make a miraculous recovery and play on Sunday, D.J. Reed could earn his third start in four weeks at the other outside cornerback spot opposite of Griffin. He played well in his last start against the Cardinals, registering a season-high nine tackles while helping hold DeAndre Hopkins and Christian Kirk in check.
Along with Shell and Flowers, running back Travis Homer also has been designated as doubtful on the final injury report and will likely miss a third straight game with a hand/wrist issue.
If there's a slice of good news, though he missed practice on Thursday and Friday with a sore foot, the Seahawks listed Dunlap as questionable, increasing his odds of playing against the Giants. Earlier this week, coach Pete Carroll indicated the injury wasn't serious, but it remains unclear whether or not he will be active.
"We'll find out about Carlos Dunlap here at the end of the week," Carroll stated. "He was pretty bright-eyed about it today. We'll see what happens."
Among other players listed as questionable, running back Carlos Hyde has a new toe injury that forced him out of practice on Thursday, while starting right guard Damien Lewis could be a game-time decision with a hip injury and reserve center Kyle Fuller's status is unclear with a high ankle sprain.
Already likely to be without Shell, losing Lewis would be a significant blow this week against a stout Giants defensive front headlined by Leonard Williams, Dexter Lawrence, and Dalvin Tomlinson. But with Jordan Simmons no longer on the injury report due to a calf issue that led to him missing the past two games, the team does have a quality backup option available if needed.
Hyde being held out would also create a potential depth issue in the backfield, as Alex Collins would have to be promoted to the 53-man roster to be eligible to play on Sunday after already exhausting his two game day promotions. But Carroll sounded optimistic about the veteran being able to play and Chris Carson should be well-rested after being limited during the week as well.
