Jimmy Graham looks as if he’ll get a chance to add to his season total of four catches and nine yards Sunday in Tennessee when the Seahawks play the Titans (1 p.m., FOX). An ankle sprained Sunday against the 49ers has healed sufficiently to allow him to play, according to Pete Carroll.
“He did really well today, made it through the whole practice and did everything,” the Seahawks coach said after practice Friday. “Practiced full, so he’ll be all right.”
But the injury report listed two others whose absences will hurt special teams — CB Neiko Thorpe (ankle) and LB J.D. Alexander (hamstring).
“Those are two really high-liner guys for us, and it makes a difference,” Carroll said. “Other guys are going to have to step in and fill in.
“Neiko’s been such a big factor that we moved some guys around to get that done. We’ll have to figure it out.”
LB Terence Garvin is listed as questionable with a shoulder injury, and Michael Wilhoite is scheduled to start at strong-side linebacker.
On offense, RB Eddie Lacy, the other man of mystery besides Graham, had a full week of practice as he tries to make the active roster Sunday. That didn’t happen last week, to the surprise of Lacy and others. The Seahawks went with Thomas Rawls, C.J. Prosise and rookie Chris Carson, the latter ending up with 93 yards in 20 carries, including 41 on five carries on the game’s final drive.
“Eddie’s fine, he had a great week,” Carroll said. He’s competing for his play time.”
A decision on Lacy might be impacted by which players the Seahawks need to fill the special-teams vacancies, where Lacy is no help.
Carroll was mum on any changes in the offensive line, where Mark Glowinski at right guard has started both games. Speculation all week was that veteran Oday Aboushi might get the start.
At left guard, Luke Joeckel was on the injury report Wednesday with soreness in the knee that required ACL surgery in October when he was with Jacksonville. but was a full participant in practice Thursday and Friday.
“We are managing (the knee),” Carroll said. “We take that into consideration throughout the week to make sure he is strong. The communication has been really good. He is doing well. He is making all the plays. He has done a nice job. But it does take some consideration.”
For Tennessee, RB Demarco Murray is listed as questionable with a hamstring problem, although he practiced Friday. If he can’t go, Derrick Henry, former Heisman Trophy winner from Alabama, will get the start.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="2235428 https://sportspressnw.wpengine.com/?p=2235428">6 Comments
The NFL seems to be all about injuries. A meat-grinder.
I hope we get to see what Michael Bennett looks like tackling a Duck. If we don’t, it could be a rough game. The Hawks need to keep the score low.
Take a look at the over-40 retiree crowd among footballers. Car wreck survivors.
Does it really matter if Graham plays or not? When he is on the field, it is like we are playing with only ten men. I don’t know if it is Graham, or Wilson just ignoring him, or the play calling. It appears he is a non-entity on gameday. He gets talked about in the press, and in commentaries, but for the most part, he is a ghost in a Seahawks uniform.
Graham could own a good chunk of the football world, but he doesn’t embrace it, for whatever reason.
Don’t forget, last year he had 65 catches, six TDs and 923 yards coming off serious knee surgery. He is needed.
This looks to be a poor matchup for Seattle, given we 1. can’t run (altho we badly want to) and 2. have trouble defending the run. Lets hope Mariota turns it over
SEA is a three-point underdog for more than just the game’s location.