The Seattle Seahawks simply cannot get some key players healthy. One player, though, that will not be listed on the Week 6 injury report for Seattle ahead of its San Francisco 49ers game on Thursday Night Football is Uchenna Nwosu. He has been placed on injured reserve so he will miss at least the next four games.
One of Seattle's biggest weaknesses early in the 2024 season is stopping the run. The 49ers are seventh in the NFL in yards rushing per game (144.0 yards), so unless Seattle fixes its run defense problem before the game, San Francisco might run all over the Seahawks. Plus, Seattle will be without Nwosu and also rookie defensive tackle Byron Murphy II.
Without these players in recent games (Nwosu played just part of Week 5), Seattle has not shown they can stop the run. What makes anyone think they can be successful against the 49ers? The hope is that the shock loss of Week 5 versus the New York Giants can be reversed into a shock win against the 49ers.
The Seahawks could be in big trouble Thursday night. The loss of Nwosu is a major hit for the defense, of course. To make matters worse, both Mafe and Hall are questionable for the game. If both of them are out, who is going to generate the pass rush for Seattle? Things could get ugly fast at Lumen Field.
Seattle isn't alone on the injury front. San Francisco was one of the favorites to return to the Super Bowl this season. They still might, but they have begun 2-3 and certainly look very beatable against decent teams. Part of the problem San Francisco has had is their own injuries.
The 49ers won't have running back Christian McCaffrey who hasn't yet played this season. San Francisco will also be without former All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga. He will miss the week with an injury suffered in Week 5. That could help Geno Smith and the offense get some explosive plays.
Mike Macdonald was hired in part to do what former head coach Pete Carroll could not do in recent years. That is beat the 49ers and Los Angeles Rams. Macdonald's first chance to beat either team is on Thursday. Seattle's injuries might keep him from doing that, though.
