The Seattle Seahawks have taken their fair share of hits this season-both on the scoreboard and on the injury report-but here they are, tied for the best record in the NFC heading into December. That’s no small feat considering how banged up this roster has been. And as the team gears up for a crucial five-game stretch that includes high-stakes divisional matchups with the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers, reinforcements might finally be on the way.
Julian Love nearing a return
Let’s start with the secondary, where the Seahawks have been missing one of their most reliable playmakers. Safety Julian Love hasn’t seen the field since Week 4 due to a nagging hamstring injury that eventually landed him on injured reserve just before the Week 9 game against Washington. But there’s a glimmer of hope he could be back soon.
Head coach Mike Macdonald sounded cautiously optimistic when asked about Love’s status during his weekly appearance on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk show.
“Looking positive,” Macdonald said. “He’s gotta take it day by day. Nobody wants him out there more than I do, trust me.”
Love has been grinding behind the scenes to get back, and Macdonald made it clear this isn’t a case of a player dragging his feet. The Pro Bowl safety has been all-in on his recovery, pushing himself and working closely with the training staff to get back to full speed.
But as Macdonald noted, hamstrings can be tricky. Sometimes the body just doesn’t follow the calendar.
“He has worked extremely hard and incredibly diligently to get himself back out there,” Macdonald said. “This is not a function of him not being ready to go or not doing all the things. He’s taking it to the nth degree to come back and be as healthy as he possibly can.”
If Love can return for this final stretch, it would be a massive boost for a defense that’s already shown flashes of being playoff-caliber. His versatility, football IQ, and ability to cover ground in the secondary are difference-makers-especially against the pass-heavy offenses Seattle is about to face.
Rylie Mills progressing in practice
On the defensive line, rookie Rylie Mills is starting to make some noise. The fifth-round pick out of Notre Dame was designated to return to practice last week after rehabbing from a torn ACL suffered during his final college season. While he’s not quite ready to be activated to the 53-man roster, the early signs are promising.
Macdonald praised Mills’ first week back on the field, noting that while it’s unlikely he’ll be rushed into action, the rookie is trending in the right direction.
“I’m not gonna bet against him,” Macdonald said. “But I think it would be important for him to stack as many reps as he can to gain the confidence he needs to play at a certain level.”
That’s a smart approach. Mills is coming off a major injury and transitioning to the speed and physicality of the NFL.
Giving him the full 21-day practice window allows him to build rhythm, get comfortable with the scheme, and prove to the coaching staff that he’s ready to contribute. The fact that he’s already showing flashes in practice is a good sign for his long-term development-and maybe, just maybe, for some late-season snaps if things break right.
Josh Jobe clears concussion protocol
In the secondary, there’s more good news. Cornerback Josh Jobe, who exited late in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game with a concussion, has officially cleared the protocol. That’s a big relief for a Seahawks defense that can’t afford to lose more depth in the defensive backfield as it prepares for a run against some of the NFC’s most potent offenses.
Jobe has been a steady presence in the rotation, and having him available moving forward gives Seattle more flexibility in coverage and special teams.
Looking ahead
This Seahawks team isn’t just surviving-they’re competing at the top of the conference despite the injury bug biting hard. And now, with key players like Julian Love and Rylie Mills on the mend, the arrow is pointing up at just the right time.
The next five games will define Seattle’s season. With divisional showdowns looming and playoff seeding on the line, getting healthy isn’t just a bonus-it’s a necessity. If this team can get even a few of its key contributors back on the field, they’ll be in a strong position to make a serious push down the stretch.