Seattle Seahawks Line Changes for Monday Night Football
The Seattle Seahawks are eagerly awaiting the return of running back Ken Walker III to the field against the Detroit Lions. However, the Seahawks will have to make do without at least four key defensive players. The team confirmed on Saturday that defensive tackles Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy, and outside linebackers Uchenna Nwosu and Boye Mafe, will not participate in the game. Jerome Baker, the inside linebacker, remains questionable.
Every player, except Murphy, is a starter. Murphy, a first-round pick, was on the field for his first two NFL games before the Seahawks’ win over the Miami Dolphins sidelined him.
Key Player Injuries and Predictions
Williams, the best defensive player in Seahawks history, is dealing with a rib injury. Mafe, who ranks sixth among defensemen this season in blocks won, previously suffered a knee injury that worsened during the Miami game. Nwosu, Seattle’s top linebacker, has missed the first three games with an MCL sprain.
Despite the odds, Seattle held a 3-0 winning streak, despite defeating the Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, and Dolphins under different circumstances. The upcoming game at Ford Field against the Lions is considered their first important test of the season. The Seahawks will face this challenge without their top four linebackers and seven under their new coach, Mike Macdonald.
The Next Man Up Philosophy
“You have four players down; the other four players will wake up,” said Macdonald, expressing his eagerness to see the players in the spaces playing. He believes in the depth of his squad and is looking forward to seeing who will seize the opportunity to shine.
Macdonald admitted that having three games in a 10-day period played a role in deciding who will be involved in Monday night’s game. Walker, who missed the past two games with a minor injury, was listed as a full-time starter on Saturday. Jerome Baker, however, was limited in his participation after missing two days of practice.
Looking Ahead: Injuries and Projections
Although Mafe’s knee injury is not considered serious, a source revealed to ESPN that Murphy could be out for more than a week. Macdonald declined to give an exact time frame for the return of the injured players but assured that it will not be long unless unforeseen circumstances arise.
The Seahawks are also waiting for the return of Nwosu, who was injured in the last preseason game. His possible return in Week 4 was the reason the team did not place him on the injured reserve. However, guard Anthony Bradford has returned to full practice after missing Thursday’s practice. He has started the first three games but has been penalized six times. Monday night’s game will feature both Bradford and rookie third-round pick Christian Haynes at right tackle, according to Macdonald.
