Injury Report: Seahawks Rule Out Four Players, Nick Emmanwori Returns vs. Buccaneers
Continuing to deal with injuries on the defensive side of the football, as confirmed by coach Mike Macdonald after Friday’s practice, the Seattle Seahawks will be without three key starters against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, including cornerback Devon Witherspoon.
According to Macdonald, Witherspoon “re-injured” his left knee during his return to action in a Thursday Night Football win against the Cardinals in Arizona, and he will now miss his third game in four weeks after sitting out practice this week. The Seahawks will also be without safety Julian Love for the second game in three weeks, as he aggravated a hamstring injury late in the victory at State Farm Stadium.
Macdonald indicated Ty Okada would take Love’s place in the secondary, potentially setting him up for a second start. Minus Witherspoon, Josh Jobe and Riq Woolen will start at the boundary cornerback spots, while Derion Kendrick will once again be called upon as Seattle’s primary nickel back option.
In addition to Witherspoon and Love being out in the defensive backfield, veteran defensive end Demarcus Lawrence won’t make it back this week after suffering a thigh injury in the first quarter chasing after Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray and will miss his first game since joining the Seahawks as a free agent in March. Reserve tackle Josh Jones will also miss a second consecutive game with an ankle sprain suffered in a Week 3 win over the Saints, meaning Amari Kight could be called up from the practice squad as a game day elevation for a second straight week.
On the plus side, along with Okada seeing snaps next to Coby Bryant, Seattle will be able to offset Love’s absence to an extent with the anticipated return of rookie safety Nick Emmanwori, who will suit up for the first time since exiting the season opener in the first quarter with a high ankle sprain. After being a full participant in practice all week, he did not receive a designation on Friday’s final report and Macdonald confirmed he would be full go for Sunday.
Without Lawrence being available, the Seahawks should have undrafted rookies Jared Ivey and/or Connor O’Toole active against the Buccaneers. Ivey has dressed for one game, recording no statistics on 12 defensive snaps, while O’Toole has yet to make his NFL debut. Jamie Sheriff could also be an option to promote from the practice squad for game day.
While Seattle has a lengthy final injury report with key names sidelined, Tampa Bay enters this weekend with an even worse situation, as the Buccaneers ruled out five starters for Sunday. Among those who won’t suit up, running back Bucky Irving, receiver Mike Evans, and cornerbacks Jamel Dean and Benjamin Morrison will all be sidelined, with the latter two being replaced by Zyon McCollum and Josh Hayes. Nickel defender Christian Izien will also be out with rookie Jacob Parrish handling slot duties.
