As the Seahawks head into Week 14, the injury report reads like a rare December gift - minimal names, no new surprises, and a defense getting some key reinforcements just in time for the stretch run.
Only two players have been officially ruled out: defensive lineman Rylie Mills and wide receiver Dareke Young. Mills, who’s been sidelined all season while recovering from an ACL tear suffered last December at Notre Dame, remains on the non-football injury list.
Young, meanwhile, has been designated to return to practice but is still on injured reserve, which means he’s not quite ready for game action. Beyond that, the Seahawks’ active roster is completely clear of injury designations - a remarkable feat this late in the season.
The headline here, though, is the return of two defensive starters: Jarran Reed and Julian Love. Both have been on injured reserve for the past month, but they’ve practiced this week and are expected to be back in uniform on Sunday. That’s a big lift for a defense that’s been grinding through the season with a mix of young talent and veteran leadership.
Reed’s presence up front brings added muscle to the interior defensive line, where his ability to collapse the pocket and disrupt the run game has been sorely missed. And in the secondary, Love’s return gives the Seahawks a versatile safety who can line up all over the field - deep coverage, in the box, even in the slot if needed.
Head coach Mike Macdonald didn’t commit to a snap count for Love, but did mention there’s a plan in place for how he’ll be worked back into the rotation. That likely means a measured return, especially with Ty Okada continuing to hold his own in Love’s absence.
The timing couldn’t be better. With two roster spots already cleared, the Seahawks won’t need to make any additional cuts to activate Reed and Love - a logistical win that keeps the roster stable heading into a critical matchup.
One storyline to keep an eye on, though, is the status of Quandre Diggs. After rejoining the Seahawks via the practice squad, Diggs is now considered week-to-week with a thigh injury he picked up during limited snaps against the Vikings. It’s an unfortunate hiccup in what was shaping up to be a feel-good return, but with Love back in the fold and Okada playing steady football, there’s no immediate pressure to rush Diggs into the active lineup.
All things considered, this is about as clean an injury report as you’ll see in December. The Seahawks are getting healthier, not more banged up - and that’s a rare and welcome trend as they prepare for the final push of the regular season.