As game day draws near with the St. Louis Rams Sunday, the Seahawks’ injury list seems to grow with big names. Listed as questionable Friday on the team injury report were DL Michael Bennett (toe), WR Doug Baldwin (hamstring), LT Russell Okung (calf) and SS Kam Chancellor (tailbone).
All four were named earlier this week as Pro Bowl selections, or alternates. Still not playing is another Pro Bowl selection, Marshall Lynch, recovering from hernia surgery Nov. 25. He is attempting to return for the playoffs Jan. 9-10.
Listed as doubtful to play Sunday were TE Anthony McCoy (ankle) and DT Jordan Hill (toe).
Bennett, who hasn’t missed a game since 2011, often gets practice days off and is listed as questionable/not injury related, then plays Sunday. The surprise this week was Baldwin, who has been white-hot with QB Russell Wilson over the past five games.
“He had a little bit of a muscle that was bothering him,” coach Pete Carroll said Thursday. “We don’t know if it’s a pull. He’s had a lot of work lately, so we’re just giving him a break on it.”
Carroll said that Baldwin, who didn’t practice this week, likely will be a game-time decision. The Seahawks activated four receivers for Sunday’s win over the Browns, but lost B.J. Daniels to a claim by the Houston Texas after earlier losing to injury Ricardo Lockette and Paul Richardson.
If Baldwin can’t go, the next likeliest receiver candidate is Kasen Williams, the former Skyline High School and University of Washington standout who has been on the practice squad all season. If that happens, it will make three ex-Huskies among the receivers, joining Jermaine Kearse and Kevin Smith.
If Okung is out, Alvin Bailey, who stepped in during the fourth quarter Sunday, will start. Kelcie McCray, who started against Cleveland, will go again if Chancellor can’t go.
Two cornerbacks coming back from minor injuries, Jeremy Lane (knee) and DeShawn Shead (ankle) were each listed as probable, but Carroll wouldn’t say who would start at corner.