Seattle Seahawks: Week 9 Injury Report Update
By Paul Taylor
We bring you all the latest injury news for the Seattle Seahawks, as they prepare for their Monday Night Football clash with the Buffalo Bills at CenturyLink Field.
Given everything the Seattle Seahawks have been through so far this season, they are in an excellent position in the NFC West. Every other team in the division has at least two more losses, and with the possible exception of the Arizona Cardinals, none look capable of making a serious challenge.
However, after two weeks without a win, the Seahawks need to get back on track, especially when you consider the bigger picture. With homefield advantage so important for the playoffs, they cannot afford to fall off the pace, especially with the Dallas Cowboys entering Sunday’s action at 6-1.
In that respect, Monday night’s game against the struggling Buffalo Bills offers the ideal chance to grab that much-needed win. With this in mind, the Week 9 injury report has received a lot of attention from fans and media alike.
More from Emerald City Swagger
- Seattle Seahawks: To rest or not to rest, that is the question
- Washington State Football: What you need to know for 2018 Alamo Bowl
- Washington Basketball: 3 takeaways from Huskies win over Sacramento St.
- Seattle Seahawks: 12s still waiting to exhale
- Seattle Seahawks: 4 Takeaways from 26-23 Loss to the 49ers
The most positive news undoubtedly surrounds Russell Wilson. Pete Carroll said his quarterback is looking the healthiest he’s been, since he sustained the first of his injuries back in Week 1.
Along with Jimmy Graham (knee), the Seahawks’ head coach confirmed Wilson is good to go on Monday night. Speaking to the media, Carroll said: “Russell was really at his best, and Jimmy was at his best.”
The news wasn’t as possitive for the other offensive players listed on this week’s injury report. Thomas Rawls (fibula), Bradley Sowell (knee) and Luke Wilson (knee) have all been ruled out against the Bills.
Carroll said Rawls looked good this week running on flat ground for the first time, but is now not expected back until Week 11, against the Philadelphia Eagles: “Next week would be his first week back practicing, hopefully, then it would probably be another week after that.”
Sowell did return to practice in a limited capacity this week, but the Hawks’ head coach said he’s not ready to go yet. As for Wilson, he will miss a third straight game after undergoing surgery, but Carroll expects the tight end back against the New England Patriots.
Turning to the defense, Michael Bennett‘s absence was a given, after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery on Wednesday. He is expected to take between two and three weeks to recover.
With Frank Clark starting in Bennett’s place, the downgrade is minimal. Regardless, the Seahawks will be relieved that fellow defensive end Cliff Avril is fit and available, after dealing with a groin pull.
Similarly, defensive tackle Tony McDaniel and linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis have been declared good to go against the Bills. Each had been dealing with ankle issues, but both had full participation in practice on Friday and Saturday.
Finally, we come to the secondary, with DeAndre Elliott ruled out for a second consecutive week, due to an ankle injury. However, the biggest story is undoutedly the absence of Kam Chancellor, who will miss his fourth consecutive game due to a substantial groin pull.
Understandably, there is an increased concern about the long-term health of the Seahawks’ strong safety. Carroll said: “We love having him, we hate missing him, but there’s nothing we can do about it – he’s trying to get back as fast as he can.”
Next: Ranking the Seahawks' 8 head coaches
Taking the injuries into account, what’s your prediction for the Seahawks’ clash with the Bills? Do you think they will get back on track, or lose their second straight game? Let us know in the comments section below.