The Seahawks’ first full practice of the week brought a longer injury list and a few notable shifts as they got ready for Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Seattle listed 17 players on Thursday’s report, with nine of them not practicing and six starters among that group. Two names - linebacker Ernest Jones IV (ankle) and Derick Hall (back) - were added after not appearing on Wednesday’s estimated report. Three other players changed status: newly acquired left guard Quenton Nelson and linebacker Uchenna Nwosu moved from limited to not practicing, while guard Anthony Bradford went from limited to full.
Bradford had been Seattle’s starting right guard before Nelson arrived from the Colts last week. Grey Zabel, who had been at left guard, shifted over to the right side.
Among the players who did not participate were left tackle Charles Cross (ankle), quarterback Sam Darnold (quadriceps/ribs), Nelson, Nwosu, Rashid Shaheed (knee), Leonard Williams (stinger), Connor O’Toole (foot), and Brandon Pili (back).
Head coach Mike Macdonald said Williams, Cross and Shaheed “all have a chance to play. We haven’t ruled anybody out yet.” Darnold, though, was already ruled out Wednesday.
That leaves Drew Lock in line to start again, just as he did in Week 2 against Arizona. Lock said Thursday that his elbow is “a lot better.
It’s doing good, doing good. I’m excited to be back out there.
It felt great to get under center and rip some balls yesterday. So, it feels good.”
He also described the week as “like a normal week,” adding, “If the training staff wants to pull it back a little bit, then let them make that decision. But I’m expecting to go take every rep.”
Even with that confidence, Lock was listed as limited Thursday.
Arizona’s report was busy as well. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett did not practice for a non-injury reason, along with right guard Jon Gaines II (ankle), running back Bam Knight (concussion), and left tackle Jayden Williams (knee).
The Cardinals also had several limited participants: right guard Isaiah Adams (ankle/practicing while on injured reserve), cornerback Max Melton (knee), defensive lineman Walter Nolen III (ankle), and wide receiver Michael Wilson (not injury related/rest/ribs).
Four Cardinals were full participants: safety Budda Baker, center Hjalte Froholdt, left guard Isaac Seumalo and outside linebacker Josh Sweat, all listed with rest. Wide receiver Reggie Virgil was also full with a back issue.
In Other News...
Cardinals Deadline Approach Is Raising Big Questions About This Roster
As the deadline nears, the Cardinals are still sorting through what kind of roster they want to be for the stretch run, and the conversation around them has only gotten louder. Arizona has already been linked to a quarterback move with Jacoby Brissett expected to be finalized soon, while head coach Mike LaFleur also said running back James Conner will not return this week, leaving the offense with more short-term uncertainty than the team would like.
The bigger question is what Arizona does with its veteran talent on the other side of the ball. The Cardinals have been seeking significant value for edge rusher Josh Sweat, and league chatter has also kept safety Budda Baker in the trade conversation as Tuesday approaches, a sign that this front office may still be weighing whether to add around the margins or take a harder look at the long-term picture. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Face A Josh Sweat Decision That Still Isnt Simple
Josh Sweat has become one of the more interesting names to watch as the NFL trade deadline approaches, but the buzz around the Cardinals pass-rusher has not changed the basic outlook much. Arizona has every reason to treat him as part of its longer-term plans, and the contract situation only makes a move more complicated for a team that values edge help.
Even with rumors circulating, the sense around the league is that the Cardinals are not eager to deal him unless the return is substantial enough to justify it. Sweats future still feels tied to Arizona, and unless the right kind of offer materializes, this looks like one of those deadline stories that may end with the player staying put and the team keeping its pass rush intact. [Read more 🡒]
Cardinals Head To Seattle Already Facing A Costly Lineup Problem
The Cardinals head into their Week 9 trip to Seattle already shorthanded, with running back Bam Knight, tackle Jayden Williams and guard Jon Gaines all ruled out because of injuries. Mike LaFleur said none of the three practiced during the week, leaving Arizona to sort through its depth before the official injury report comes out after practice and to keep an eye on a few other banged-up players as well.
It is the kind of availability issue that can shape a game plan before kickoff, especially on the road against a division opponent. Seattle will be starting Drew Lock at quarterback in place of the injured Sam Darnold, but Arizona still has to piece together its own lineup on both sides of the ball, and the final answers up front could matter just as much as anything the Seahawks do under center. [Read more 🡒]