The Seahawks’ Thursday injury report brought a little bit of good news and a few new concerns as Seattle continued its prep for Kansas City.
The encouraging part starts up front and in the backfield. Anthony Bradford, who had been limited with a knee issue on Wednesday, was a full participant Thursday.
Zach Charbonnet also moved up to full work after dealing with a knee injury. Seattle also got full practices from Tyrice Knight (oblique), Rashid Shaheed (hip), and Beau Stephens (knee), which gives the team some momentum heading into the weekend.
There were some bumps in the middle of the report, though. DeMarcus Lawrence, who was listed as resting on Wednesday, showed up with a knee injury and was limited Thursday.
Uchenna Nwosu also landed on the limited list with a hip issue. If either player had to leave practice early because of injury, that’s something to watch closely.
The Seahawks’ most notable repeat non-participants were Connor O’Toole (hamstring), Chazz Surratt (calf), and Drake Thomas (ankle), all of whom sat out again. Thomas is the name that stands out most there, but Knight’s move to full participation suggests he’s ready to handle the starting job, which gives Thomas a little more room to recover.
Kansas City’s report was mostly steady, with a few players continuing to work through injuries without much change. Cyrus Allen (knee), Chamarri Conner (knee), Patrick Mahomes (knee), and Trey Smith (hip) were all full participants again, and they look set to be available this weekend.
The Chiefs also kept Travis Kelce (ankle), L’Jarius Sneed (knee), and Cooper McDonald (knee) in limited work. That doesn’t scream major concern, but it does leave open the possibility they’re not quite at full strength yet. Running back Brashard Smith (hamstring) was a new addition to the limited group, though his role is typically small enough that it doesn’t carry much weight.
The real trouble for Kansas City showed up in the DNP column, where the names didn’t change, but the meaning did. Jaylon Moore (concussion) and Rashee Rice (hamstring, knee) both remain unlikely to play, and Josh Simmons (back) was placed on IR after his injury proved to be more serious than expected. That leaves the Chiefs dealing with the loss of both starting tackles and their top wide receiver.
In Other News...
Rams Suddenly Have An Offensive Question They May Not Avoid Much Longer
The NFC West picture got a little more complicated Monday night, when the 49ers beat Washington 23-17 and some of their players were already talking about how much sharper they need to be against more efficient opponents. For the Seahawks, it is the kind of backdrop that keeps the division in focus, especially with Seattle trying to sort out its own offense while watching how the teams around it respond to early-season pressure.
Across the division, the Rams suddenly have a personnel issue they may not be able to ignore for long. Tight end Terrance Ferguson is not expected to be ready to come off injured reserve anytime soon, and with Davante Adams now out because of injury, the possibility of adding help at receiver is starting to loom. Seattle has its own questions as Sam Darnold works through a rough start, with some evaluators still seeing him as a quarterback who needs the right structure around him, while the Seahawks also weigh what a possible Week 7 return for Zach Charbonnet could mean for the offense. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Defense Just Got A Telling Sign Before Facing Mahomes
The Seahawks head into Sunday night with something rare for a matchup of this size: respect already coming their way from the other sideline. Seattles defense has earned the leagues top ranking, and it will be tested in a heavyweight meeting with Kansas City, the NFLs top offense, at Lumen Field.
Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes both singled out the Seahawks defense and its scheme, a notable nod before a game that will draw plenty of attention on NBC and Peacock. Mahomes even pointed back to previous battles with the Ravens defense run by Seattle coordinator Mike Macdonald, a reminder that this meeting will be as much about chess as star power when kickoff arrives at 5:20 p.m. PT. [Read more 🡒]
Kenneth Walkers Seattle Return Just Got A Lot More Interesting
Kenneth Walkers first trip back to Seattle is shaping up as one of the more intriguing storylines on the Chiefs schedule. The running back has been a driving force behind Kansas Citys 5-0 start, and he arrives as the NFLs rushing leader, a reminder of just how quickly he has become central to the offense after moving on from his former team.
The return also carries a little extra edge because it is happening in a place that knows him well. Chiefs players and Andy Reid have both weighed in on the matchup, while the team has been sorting through its usual injury and practice updates as it gets ready for the week ahead, adding another layer to a game that already had plenty of attention. [Read more 🡒]
