The Seattle Seahawks are making a midseason adjustment to their coaching staff, and it comes in the running backs room. Veteran coach Kennedy Polamalu is stepping away from the team on a personal leave of absence, the organization announced Wednesday. In the meantime, the Seahawks will take a collaborative approach to fill the gap, with run game specialist/assistant offensive line coach Justin Outten and offensive assistant Michael Byrne sharing responsibilities for the running backs.
Polamalu, a longtime fixture in both college and NFL coaching circles, came to Seattle ahead of the 2024 season after holding the same position with the Raiders. He’s in his 33rd season coaching at the collegiate or professional level and brings a wealth of experience to the table. For those keeping track of NFL family trees, he’s also the uncle of Hall of Fame safety Troy Polamalu.
With Polamalu stepping away, Outten and Byrne step into a key role at a crucial point in the season. Outten is in his first year with the Seahawks, arriving from Tennessee, and brings play-calling experience from his time as Denver’s offensive coordinator in 2022. Byrne, also in his first year with the team, will help guide a running back group that’s been central to Seattle’s offensive identity.
Injury Updates: Key Pieces Returning?
On the injury front, Seattle could be getting some reinforcements soon. Center Jalen Sundell and tight end Eric Saubert were both designated to return from injured reserve ahead of Wednesday’s practice - a positive sign for a team in the thick of the playoff race.
Sundell has missed the last four games with a knee injury. Prior to that, he had been the starting center, but with rookie Olu Oluwatimi filling in admirably during his absence, head coach Mike Macdonald left the door open for a potential position shift.
“We’ll see,” Macdonald said when asked whether Sundell might return at center or slide over to guard. Either way, having Sundell back in the mix gives the Seahawks added flexibility and depth along the offensive line.
The second-year lineman was undrafted out of North Dakota State, where he played alongside current Seahawks rookie guard Grey Zabel.
As for Saubert, the 31-year-old veteran tight end has been sidelined for six games with a calf injury. He’s been a journeyman throughout his career - Seattle is his eighth NFL stop in nine seasons - but he made his lone catch this year count: a 12-yard touchdown. His return could be well-timed, especially with rookie tight end Elijah Arroyo’s status up in the air due to a knee injury suffered in last week’s win over Atlanta.
Rashid Shaheed Electrifies Special Teams
And speaking of that win over the Falcons, it featured one of the most electric plays of the NFL season - and it’s earned Rashid Shaheed some well-deserved hardware. The Seahawks wide receiver and return ace has been named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week after his 100-yard kickoff return touchdown lit up the field in Atlanta.
It was the longest touchdown scored in the NFL this season, the longest kick return by a Seahawk since 2015, and the third-longest return in franchise history. In a season filled with highlight-reel moments, Shaheed’s sprint to the end zone was a game-changer - and a reminder of how dangerous he can be any time the ball is in his hands.
This marks the third time in the last five weeks that a Seahawks player has earned an NFC weekly award, a testament to the kind of all-around football Seattle has been playing.
Looking Ahead: Colts Up Next
Now sitting at 10-3, the Seahawks are tied for first place in both the NFC West and the conference as a whole. With just four games left in the regular season, every snap matters - and this week brings a tough test as the 8-5 Indianapolis Colts come to town.
Kickoff is set for 1:25 p.m. Sunday at Lumen Field, with pregame coverage beginning at 10 a.m. on Seattle Sports.
The Seahawks are getting healthier, their special teams are making headlines, and their coaching staff is adapting on the fly. As December football heats up, Seattle is very much in the thick of it - and they’re showing they’ve got the depth and resilience to stay there.