Injury Report: Ernest Jones Good to Go For Seahawks, Two Ruled Out vs. Rams
Seattle Seahawks Linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) observes the play call at SoFi Stadium for the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams Week 18 matchup. Mandatory Credit: William Navarro-Imagn Images
Despite being limited in the first two practices of the week, Ernest Jones will suit up for the Seattle Seahawks to face his former team on Sunday, returning to the starting lineup just in time for a battle for first place with the Los Angeles Rams.
Injuring his knee late in the first half of a Week 9 road win over the Commanders, Jones missed the Seahawks 44-22 win over the Cardinals at Lumen Field last weekend, sitting out for the first time since being acquired at the trade deadline in October 2024 from the Titans. Tyrice Knight filled in admirably at MIKE linebacker in his absence, forcing a pair of fumbles that defensive end Demarcus Lawrence returned for touchdowns on strip sacks against Jacoby Brissett.
Not listed on Seattle’s final injury report with any designation, Jones should be good to go for a full workload after ramping up activity this week to test the injured knee and will certainly be motivated facing the team that drafted him and eventually traded him away before the 2024 season. With that said, Knight could still see some plays in his stead if the team wants to put Jones on a pitch count with Drake Thomas lined up as the WILL linebacker next to either of them.
While Jones will be in uniform and expected to start in the middle of Macdonald’s defense, the Seahawks won’t have center Jalen Sundell or receiver Tory Horton available this weekend. Sundell injured his knee in the second quarter against Arizona last Sunday and has not practiced this week, while Horton has continued to deal with a shin injury and will miss his second straight game as a result. Per coach Mike Macdonald, both players are in consideration for injured reserve.
Without Sundell in the lineup, Seattle will turn to third-year veteran Olu Oluwatimi, who started eight games at the pivot position last year and played well in the second half against Arizona. Depth-wise, Macdonald indicated rookie Bryce Cabeldue will be available as a backup for Oluwatimi, while Christian Haynes (pectoral) could be activated from injured reserve as additional insurance, though a roster spot would need to be created to do so.
As for replacing Horton, recently acquired receiver Rashid Shaheed should see an uptick in playing time in his second game as a Seahawk, while Jake Bobo will return after a two-game absence due to a calf injury, reinforcing depth a bit on the outside.
In additional injury news, cornerback Josh Jobe, who sat out last week while in concussion protocol, will be back in action at the perfect time to give the Seahawks all hands on deck against a talented Rams receiving corps led by Davante Adams and Puka Nacua. The veteran should jump back into the starting lineup, though with Riq Woolen’s elevated play as of late, he may see a reduced role away from nickel and dime packages with five or six defensive backs on the field.
