Imagine this scenario, 12s. If you had been told at the start of the season that the Seahawks would only get one game from their best running back and none at all from their best pass rusher, you'd have been pretty upset, right? Remember, this is after you already knew that their starting right tackle would miss much of the season. Now throw in that his replacement would only play 13 snaps in those first three games. Man, this is gonna be a rough start, right?
Yet despite those personnel losses, Seattle came out with three wins. Uchenna Nwosu hasn't played a snap since Week 7 of last year. Kenneth Walker and George Fant missed the last two games. I didn't even mention that starting linebacker Jerome Baker went down in the first half versus the Patriots. Yet here they are in Week 4, facing their toughest test so far, on the road versus the Lions. Thankfully, the injury report got a little better for the Hawks.
Several of the players who were on the injury list from Thursday didn't see any change to their status on Friday's report. That included Nwosu and also defensive linemen Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II. Neither Baker nor Boye Mafe practiced on Friday, either. That is a whole lot of defensive talent missing.
Fear not, good 12s. The good news is that while guard Anthony Bradford missed practice on Thursday, he was able to participate in full Friday. Kidding, that's not the good news. Yes, he was able to practice, but that doesn't help on defense. The good news is that Nwosu is still expected to be ready for Monday night's contest in Detroit.
That's not all, though. Derick Hall, who had a monster breakout game against the Dolphins, was able to practice without restrictions Friday. Walker was limited in practice, but that makes two straight days he was able to get on the field. Hopefully with the extra day of rest, he'll be able to go full-tilt against the Lions.
As for Detroit, they have their own injury issues. Their largest absence will be at center, as Pro Bowler Frank Ragnow missed practice again. He's expected to be out of action on Monday. Tight end Sam LaPorta had missed some time on the field but was able to take full part in practice on Friday. The absence of Ragnow should play a major factor in the performance of the Lions offensive line.
The best news for the Seahawks is that it appears likely that both Nwosu and Walker will be on the field to take on the Lions. They'll be needed, as this is easily the biggest test Seattle will have faced so far.
