Alvin Bailey took snaps at left guard this week in anticipation of starting Sunday against the New York Giants for James Carpenter, who sprained an ankle against Oakland. But the Seahawks’ battered offensive line should get help from C Max Unger and LT and Russell Okung, who will return to the starting lineup.Second-year man Bailey started at left tackle against the Raiders, while undrafted rookie Garry Gilliam made his lifetims debut at guard when Carpenter went down. Patrick Lewis made his first career NFL start for Unger as well as Steve Schilling, the backup who likely will be unavailable (knee).
The bad injury news for the Seahawks is SS Kam Chancellor likely will sit again, victim of a groin muscle strained in practice that forced him Sunday to miss his first game since 2011.
“He’s going to have to talk us into it at this point,” said coach Pete Carroll after practice Sunday. He just wasn’t able to work during the week like we had hoped, so we will see. He’s very close to being ready. But still we have to make sure to take care of him for the long haul.”
His backup, Jeron Johnson, who also sat out Sunday after a concussion, is back and will start for Chancellor, a careert first.
“It’s good to have Jeron back,” Carroll said. “He’s been there in the role of fitting in behind Kam for some time no, so he’s best prepared and we should really expect him to play very well.”
Two other key offensive players on the injury list this week, RB Marshawn Lynch (calf) and WR Doug Baldwin (groin), are ready to play.
LB Malcolm Smith may get back Sunday, but Carroll wasn’t specific about whether rookie MLB Brock Coyle will get a second career start.