Seahawks Beat Up Heading Into Rematch vs. 49ers
While the Seattle Seahawks benefited from a few extra days off on a mini bye following a 41-35 loss to the Dallas Cowboys last Thursday night, the team still has several notable starters recovering from injuries leading up to a rematch with the San Francisco 49ers this weekend, including linebacker Jordyn Brooks.
Brooks, who exited Thursday's defeat in the second quarter with an ankle sprain and didn't return in the second half, sat out practice on Wednesday. According to Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, the fourth-year defender isn't ready to return to action quite yet, putting his status for Sunday in question.
“It’s a medial sprain," Carroll stated updating Brooks' injury situation. "That’s the easiest way to explain it. It’s not a high-ankle sprain."
With two practices left this week, Seattle will hold out hope Brooks can turn the corner and be available this weekend. But if he remains sidelined, the team does have a capable veteran in Devin Bush ready to jump into the lineup next to star Bobby Wagner, as the former first-round pick out of Michigan has 49 career NFL starts under his belt and brings a wealth of experience.
After being a healthy scratch for several games earlier in the season, Bush logged a season-high 58 defensive snaps against the Cowboys, recording a pair of tackles and a tackle for loss. In coverage, per Pro Football Focus, he allowed four receptions on five targets for 28 yards.
“He jumped in and did all right. He did fine," Carroll said. "He fit up well, he was comfortable, coming off the bench he played like a veteran knowing what was going on. It was good to see.”
As the Seahawks kicked off preparation for their second match with the 49ers in three weeks on Wednesday, Brooks wasn't the only high profile player unable to participate in practice. Running backs Ken Walker III and Zach Charbonnet sat out despite partaking in an earlier walkthrough session, while safety Jamal Adams and defensive tackle Leonard Williams also were held out.
Missing the past two games with an oblique strain, Carroll said Walker "ran pretty good" in Seattle's walkthrough on Wednesday, but the team continues to be cautious with bringing him back too quickly and will evaluate his status as the week progresses. As for Charbonnet, he suffered a bone bruise in his knee late in Thursday's loss, but by the end of the week, Carroll expects he will have a solid shot to play in Santa Clara.
“He was out there moving around today, so that’s a really good sign," Carroll remarked. "Again, he had a bruised knee, he did not have a knee injury. It’s uncomfortable and it’s going to hurt like crazy if he lands on it again during this week of preparation. By the end of the week, he should have a chance to be pretty good.”
In the event Walker and/or Charbonnet isn't available by the weekend, fourth-year back DeeJay Dallas and rookie Kenny McIntosh will be waiting in the wings as replacement options. Seattle also re-signed undrafted rookie SaRodorick Thompson Jr. to the practice squad on Wednesday for additional depth, filling a spot left vacant after the New York Jets signed quarterback Brett Rypien.
In the case of Adams, the veteran safety has regularly missed practice time since being activated from the PUP list in October due to lingering soreness resulting from a torn quad tendon injury suffered more than a year ago. The Seahawks have been proactive resting him to ensure he can suit up on game day and while he drew criticism for allowing the game winning touchdown catch on Thursday, Carroll has been encouraged by what he has seen movement-wise on the field from him.
“He looked the best he’s looked all year. He moved well," Carroll commented. "I talked to him about it and he came out of the game feeling better than he has, so he has a chance to work a little bit this week, more than he has had. He has not been able to practice regularly throughout this time, but he looked quick, he looked light on his feet, and I was really happy for him that he could take a step forward. It’s better than what he’s looked.”
In the trenches, Williams has been nursing an ankle injury over the past couple of weeks and missed practice time leading up to last week's game in Dallas. But he was able to play on Thursday night and with four days until kickoff, he should be ready to go by the weekend as Seattle looks to end a three-game losing streak.
On offense, per Carroll, right tackle Abraham Lucas came out of his first game action in more than two months without any issues aside from typical post-game soreness. Though he was listed as limited on Wednesday, getting a few extra days to rest between games should serve the second-year blocker well and he will be back in the starting lineup for a critical matchup with the 49ers on Sunday.
“He felt pretty good. I just talked to him about it. He felt pretty good about it," Carroll said. "As expected, a little sore, but the break was perfect for him. He did a couple days and he’s ready to go.”
At the receiver position, Dareke Young and Dee Eskridge both returned to practice as full participants on Wednesday, opening the door for one or both to potentially be active in Santa Clara. Young has missed the previous three games with an abdominal injury after only playing a handful of snaps in Week 10 against Washington upon his return from injured reserve, while Eskridge sat out Thursday's loss in Dallas with a rib injury.
According to Carroll, Young and Eskridge now will duke it out on the practice field competing against each other for the right to dress on game day, as the team usually only keeps five receivers active.
“Anxious to see those guys get out there and battle. They’re kind of competing now. See who’s in the best shape, who’s ready to go and all of that. It’s a good thing.”
