Mychal Kendricks doubtful so Seahawks likely in more nickel at LA; Clowney, Ansah seem OK
The Seahawks may be less base, more nickel this weekend.
Starting outside linebacker Mychal Kendricks is doubtful to play in Sunday night’s NFC West game at the Los Angeles Rams because of the hamstring he strained two games ago in Philadelphia.
That increases the likelihood rookie Cody Barton from the University of Washington plays more than the 11 snaps he filled in for the ailing Kendricks Monday night in Seattle’s win over Minnesota. Or that Barton makes his first career start.
Kendricks’ injury also increases the chances the Seahawks, primarily a base 4-3 defense this season, plays more nickel defense with five defensive backs and two linebackers instead of base against the Rams.
Coach Pete Carroll came right out and said that following Friday’s light practice.
Asked about Barton likely having to play for Kendricks Sunday, Carroll said: “it may cause have to play more nickel.”
Top pass rushers Jadeveon Clowney (core) and Ziggy Ansah (neck nerve issue) are questionable. But they have practiced all this week, including Friday. That’s a good sign the bookend edge rushers will play.
“We’ll still check...we’ll check those guys both out (Sunday),” Carroll said. “They did practice enough this week (that) we feel good about it.”
The Seahawks (10-2) have been in base the majority of the time this season because their coaches believe Kendricks, Pro Bowl veteran K.J. Wright and All-Pro middle linebacker Bobby Wagner are the best three players on the defense. Plus, Seattle lost standout nickel defensive back Justin Coleman to Detroit in free agency this spring to a $9 million-per-year contract, a record for a nickel back.
Yet when the Seahawks beat the Rams 30-29 in week four this season, then-nickel back Jamar Taylor played a season-high 47 percent of the defensive snaps. Los Angeles loves to use multiple wide-receiver sets with slot receivers such as Cooper Kupp running across the field horizontally.
Kupp had nine catches on a whopping 17 targets for 119 yards and a touchdown Oct. 3 at CenturyLink Field. Jared Goff threw for 395 yards that night, as L.A. used a lot of two tight-end formations. The Seahawks won when Los Angeles kicker Greg Zuerlein uncharacteristically missed a field goal at the end.
The Rams will be missing one of those tight ends who starred in the first meeting in Seattle. Los Angeles said Friday Gerald Everett will not play Sunday because of a knee injury. He had seven catches for 136 yards against the Seahawks last time.
Yet Carroll still sees a potent passing offense based off the running of Todd Gurley in Los Angeles.
“They threw for four (hundred) something and put up 550 (total yards) last week,” in L.A.’s 34-7 win at Arizona, Carroll said. “They threw the ball around pretty good. They look like they really can throw the ball on anybody. So we’ve got to do a nice job.”
The Seahawks cut Taylor Nov. 20. Akeem King has been the nickel back since then, He broke a fourth-down pass late in the win over the Vikings Monday night.
Seattle also has rookie Ugo Amadi available to play nickel, though he hasn’t played in the defensive secondary since week two at Pittsburgh almost three full months ago.
Expect as much or more nickel from Seattle Sunday night against the multiple-receiver Rams.
Thorpe’s season is over
Carroll said special-teams captain Neiko Thorpe will not play again this season.
Thorpe was returning from Philadelphia Friday following surgery to repair a sports hernia, Carroll said. The backup cornerback had missed the last two games.
The obvious move to fill Thorpe’s roster spot once he goes on injured reserve is the team activating offensive lineman Ethan Pocic from injured reserve. Pocic has been practicing the last couple weeks. He will be the second of two IR players designated to return to the active roster.
Tight end Ed Dickson was the first. He tried to practice late last month but his surgically repaired knee did not respond well. Dickson went back on IR for the rest of the season.
This story was originally published December 6, 2019 at 1:46 PM.
