With Mike Iupati doubtful against Packers, Seahawks likely to again turn to Jamarco Jones
With the health status of the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive line still up in the air following Friday afternoon’s practice, not much seems certain.
Addressing reporters for the final time before Sunday’s divisional round showdown in Green Bay, coach Pete Carroll was somewhat coy about the availability of some of his injured starters.
Left tackle Duane Brown remains questionable as he continues to recover from minor knee surgery, and is a game-day decision. Normally a tight end, George Fant has started in Brown’s place the past two games, but is also questionable for Sunday with a groin injury.
Chad Wheeler, who was promoted from the practice squad this week, is the likely backup plan there, but there is the possibility Brown does play. Should Brown and Fant both be able to go, the Seahawks could get a boost in their running game with Fant returning to blocking duties.
Meanwhile, starting left guard Mike Iupati was listed as doubtful Friday after seeking a second opinion on his neck injury earlier in the week.
But, with all the uncertainty surrounding Seattle’s offensive line ahead of this win-or-go-home meeting with the Packers, at least this much seems sure — get ready to see more of Jamarco Jones.
The 23-year-old appears set to start in place of Iupati at left guard for the Seahawks for the second straight week. He made his playoff debut there last week against the Eagles.
Seattle struggled mightily in the run game against Philadelphia’s strong defensive front, finishing with just 66 yards — and 45 of those came on scrambles by quarterback Russell Wilson — but Carroll likes the development he’s seen from Jones in his first full season.
“I thought Jamarco did a nice job, though, particularly in pass protection,” Carroll said earlier this week.
Wilson finished with 325 passing yards and was sacked just once.
“He held up really well, and he came through for us,” Carroll continued. “That’s a couple times (this season). He had a big game earlier in the year. A couple big games at guard on the other side. Shows really good versatility and really good smarts.”
Remember, of course, that Jones had never played offensive guard — either side — until this season.
Not in high school, where he was considered a top-10 recruit nationally at offensive tackle by multiple recruiting sites.
Not in college, where he started 27 consecutive games at left tackle for Ohio State his junior and senior seasons.
He was drafted as a tackle in the fifth round in 2018 before missing his rookie season with a knee injury, and has moved around some in the 15 games he’s played in for Seattle this season.
It’s possible of course Jones could slide over to left tackle this week, should the Seahawks need to get creative, but his most promising performances thus far have come playing guard.
“It’s definitely been a challenge, but it’s been fun,” he said of transitioning between positions. “I’m just glad to be playing, honestly. It’s just been fun to go out there and be able to play.”
He’s still more comfortable playing on the edge because of how familiar it’s become over the years, but said he’s getting used to playing on the interior of the line.
The speed is different, he said, and plays develop more quickly, but he’s learning to react faster.
He’s made his first three career starts playing guard — twice at right guard in place of D.J. Fluker, and last week as Iupati’s replacement.
“I feel like I’ve grown a lot when it comes to being able to play,” Jones said. “Just looking back at film from that first Rams game (in October), compared to film from last week, it’s just night-and-day difference.
“Even in footwork and anticipating movement and things like that, you can just tell I feel a lot more comfortable in that.”
Jones has leaned on more experienced linemen in Seattle’s locker room in his continued development.
“We’ve got some really good veterans in our group from Duane and Mike and (Justin) Britt, so it’s just good to have older guys in our room, who have a played for a long time at a high level to help me out,” Jones said.
They’ve told him to just stay in the moment — which he’ll look to do Sunday in Green Bay.
“We talk about that a lot,” Jones said. “You can’t worry about the last play or the next play. You’ve got to make sure you stay in the moment.”
This story was originally published January 10, 2020 at 3:10 PM.
