Seahawks minus four injured starters vs Arizona; 49ers game flexed to Sunday night feature
The Seahawks’ path to playoffs continues to have potholes.
They were missing four starters Sunday for the game against Arizona that Seattle needed to win to stay on track for the top seed in the NFC playoffs next month.
Lead pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney, cornerback Shaquill Griffin, left tackle Duane Brown and free safety Quandre Diggs missed the Cardinals game because of injuries.
Clowney missed a game for the second consecutive week and third time in five games. The three-time Pro Bowl defensive end just got through a bad flu. He continues to be pained by a core-muscle injury that may need surgery after this season.
Coach Pete Carroll said on Friday he and the team have “some” concern Clowney’s injury isn’t improving, even after two weeks of no football. He missed the Carolina game because of his nasty flu.
Then again, the Seahawks entered Sunday knowing no matter the result against the Cardinals, Seattle must beat San Francisco at home next Sunday to win the NFC West.
As expected, the NFL announced the Seahawks-49ers game next Sunday at CenturyLink Field is now a 5:20 p.m. kickoff for primetime national television as the league’s final, featured game of the regular season.
Second-year end Rasheem Green, who has emerged in the last week to become Seattle’s sack leader entering Sunday, and rookie first-round draft choice L.J. Collier were poised for more playing time again with Clowney out.
End Ziggy Ansah was active for the first time in three games. He had been sidelined by a nerve issue in his neck.
Griffin strained his hamstring last week in Seattle’s win at Carolina. Akeem King was poised to start for him again at cornerback.
Diggs sprained his ankle against the Panthers. The Pro Bowl alternate has reformed how the Seahawks play in the secondary since his trade from Detroit at the end of October. Lano Hill and rookie Marquise Blair were ready to play at free safety again for Diggs, with Bradley McDougald the other safety.
Brown missed a game for the first time since Oct. 20 against Baltimore. The 34-year-old tackle’s had knee and biceps pain most of this season.
George Fant was one option for the Seahawks to start for Brown at left tackle. But that would take Fant away from his usual role as extra, blocking tight end. To keep Fant at that, the Seahawks could use Jamarco Jones at left tackle. Jones entered Sunday having started two games at right guard this season. The Seahawks drafted him last year as a tackle.
The rest of Seattle’s inactive players Sunday: rookie wide receiver John Ursua and rookie guard Phil Haynes again, plus backup tight end Tyrone Swoopes.
This story was originally published December 22, 2019 at 12:30 PM.
