Seattle’s biggest injury question heading into Sunday’s NFC West matchup got a lot murkier Thursday.
Defensive tackle Leonard Williams, who was limited Wednesday because of an ankle issue, did not practice a day later. Williams hurt his ankle in the fourth quarter of Seattle’s win over the Los Angeles Chargers this past Sunday, and it’s not clear whether Thursday’s downgrade reflects a setback or simply extra caution from the Seahawks with an unbeaten San Francisco 49ers team coming to town. After the injury, head coach Mike Macdonald told Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk the Seahawks were “optimistic” the three-time Pro Bowler could play against San Francisco.
The good news for Seattle came on the other side of the ball. Safety Ty Okada was a full participant for the third straight practice and is trending toward his season debut Sunday after sitting out Seattle’s first four games. Right guard Beau Stephens and backup linebacker Tyrice Knight also moved up to full participation Thursday after being limited Wednesday.
There were still several Seahawks who remained limited or sidelined. Cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett and running back George Holani were limited for a second straight day, while Chazz Surratt, Julian Neal, Ernest Jones IV, Zach Charbonnet and Irv Charles were among those who did not practice.
The 49ers had their own injury concerns, starting with wide receiver Mike Evans. Evans did not practice Thursday after being limited Wednesday, though he did play through the rib injury last Sunday and finished with five catches for 76 yards in San Francisco’s win over the Denver Broncos.
San Francisco also kept several key names out of practice. Nick Bosa, Kyle Juszczyk, Marques Sigle and James Thompson Jr. all remained sidelined Thursday and are expected to miss Sunday’s game.
Cornerback Upton Stout moved from no practice Wednesday to limited participation Thursday, while backup running back Kaelon Black advanced to full participation. Jaden Dugger, Romello Height, Christian McCaffrey, Trent Williams and Dre Greenlaw were all full participants, with the latter three listed for rest rather than injury.
Seattle Seahawks injury report
Did not participate
• DT Leonard Williams (ankle)
• LB Chazz Surratt (calf)
• CB Nehemiah Pritchett (ankle)
• RB George Holani (ribs)
• CB Julian Neal (hamstring)
• Ernest Jones IV (rest, non-injury related)
• RB Zach Charbonnet (knee)*
• WR Irv Charles (knee)*
Full participant
• S Ty Okada (hamstring)
• G Beau Stephens (knee)
• LB Tyrice Knight (ankle)
• LB Patrick O’Connell (thumb)
• WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (rest, non-injury related)
49ers injury report
Did not participate
• WR Mike Evans (ribs)
• DE Nick Bosa (knee, calf)
• FB Kyle Juszczyk (knee)
• S Marques Sigle (ankle)
• DT James Thompson Jr. (ankle)
Limited participation
• CB Upton Stout (shoulder)
• DE Mykel Williams (knee)
Full participant
• LB Jaden Dugger (shoulder)
• RB Kaelon Black (illness)
• DE Romello Height (hand)
• RB Christian McCaffrey (rest, non-injury related)
• T Trent Williams (rest, non-injury related)
• LB Dre Greenlaw (rest, non-injury related)
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The challenge waiting for him is a Seahawks defense that has spent the first month of the season looking like one of the leagues most disruptive units. Seattle leads the NFL in several defensive categories and has been especially effective at generating pressure on early downs without leaning heavily on the blitz, a formula that has made this matchup one of the more interesting tests on the schedule. For the Seahawks, the next step is simple enough to define and much harder to pull off: make Purdy play from inside the pocket under real heat and see whether his start can keep rolling. [Read more 🡒]