Seahawks Get An Early Injury Warning On Key Offensive Pieces

In a week riddled with injury woes, both the Seahawks and Commanders grapple with potential game-day absences and a few hopeful recoveries.

The Seattle Seahawks’ first injury report of the week brought the kind of update plenty of fans were waiting on, and the biggest name on it was Sam Darnold.

Darnold, dealing with a glute issue, was limited in practice, which is at least a positive sign for his status moving forward. There’s still time for things to shift before game day, but the fact that he was able to get on the field at all today is encouraging.

Seattle also listed George Holani (knee), Ernest Jones (neck), Cooper Kupp (back), Jadarian Price (chest), and Brady Russell (chest) as limited participants. Nick Emmanwori, working back from knee surgery in the offseason, was a full participant, while Zach Charbonnet, who is dealing with an ACL injury, will not practice this week, per Macdonald.

That leaves a couple Seahawks with more concerning outlooks. Brandon Pili, who is in concussion protocol, and Ty Okada, battling a hamstring issue, both missed practice entirely. Pili looks like the likelier absence, while Okada’s status will need more clarification before anyone can feel good about his chances.

Washington’s report painted a much rougher picture.

The Commanders already had headline injuries with Jayden Daniels (elbow) and Nick Cross (illness), and both have already been ruled out for this week. Sam Cosmi also sat with concussion and throat issues, making him look like a longshot for Sunday as well.

Javon Kinlaw (back, shoulder), Frankie Luvu (groin), and Chigoziem Okonkwo (hamstring) were also held out, leaving Washington with a sizable group of starters either out, likely out, or in real doubt. For an 0-2 team already dealing with backup quarterback trouble, it’s a brutal spot.

There was some limited participation on Washington’s side from Kaytron Allen (hip), Dorance Armstrong (knee), Percy Butler (groin), Leo Chenal (chest), Jaylin Lane (groin), Charles Omenihu (ankle), Tyler Owens (hamstring), and Jeremy Reaves (knee, elbow). Those players may still have a path to game day, but none of them are fully healthy right now.

The best news Washington could find came from Brandon Coleman, who was a full participant while filling in at left tackle in Laremy Tunsil’s absence. Kicker Drew Stevens, dealing with a hand injury, was also a full participant.

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