LT Alvin Bailey, a backup for Russell Okung and a candidate to help make up for the absence of injured TE Zach Miller, has an oblique muscle injury that will keep him out of the Seahawks game Monday in Washington D.C. against the Redskins.
“That’s always been part of the thinking, yeah,” said coach Pete Carroll Saturday when asked about Bailey’s role in a three-tackle personnel group that the Seahawks used with some success last season in short-yardage situations.
Miller is out for a few games after surgery to fix problems in an ankle. The Seahawks decided not to hire from the outside to fill Miller’s absence, hoping to get by with backups Luke Willson and Cooper Helfet, and Bailey.
Rookie OL backup Garry Gilliam, an undrafted free agent who played tight end at Penn State, is likely to see more time.
Bailey is in his second year with the Seahawks after signing as an undrafted free agent out of Arkansas. He started nine games last season.
The good news for the Seahawks is that LB Bruce Irvin is a go for Monday. He had hip surgery in June and missed all of training camp. He had limited play in the first two weeks and sat out the past game against Denver.
He had a great week and looks great,” Carroll said. “He’ll be involved in a lot of ways. We’re excited and happy for him. It’s been a long haul to get him back out here.”