By Matthew Asher
(Credit, Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
Typically this late in the season, the injuries start to pile up for most NFL teams. It seems like Seattle may have lucked out, as they’ve had double digit numbers of players injured three separate times this season. As they take on their NFC West rival San Francisco, eight ‘Hawks are listed, but only seven are actually injured.
Four offensive Seahawks and four defensive players are on the list this week. The good news is that only three of the Seahawks are starters and the other five are second-string, or lower on the depth chart.
Both starters, however, are on the offensive side of the ball: wide receiver Golden Tate (hip) and running back Marshawn Lynch (not injury related). Both Tate and Beast Mode were unable to participate in practice on Wednesday, but on Thursday and Friday they were back to full participation. Both are listed as probable.
The final three offensive players listed are all backups. First is second-string quarterback Tavaris Jackson (illness). He wasn’t on the report Wednesday, but did not participate on Thursday or Friday. He is listed as questionable.
The other two players are both third-string on the depth chart: tight end Kellen Davis (neck) and wide receiver Percy Harvin (hip). Davis was able to fully participate on Wednesday, but was limited on Thursday. He was able to go back to full participation Friday and is listed as probable. Harvin has not been able to practice at all this week. He is one of the two Seahawks listed as out.
On defense, strong safety Kam Chancellor (hip) is the only starter listed. He wasn’t on the injury report until Friday, when he was limited in practice, but still listed as probable. The other two defensive players listed are both backups. Third-string cornerback Brandon Browner is still recovering from a groin injury sustained earlier in the season. He was limited in practice on Wednesday, but wasn’t able to participate on Thursday or Friday. He is the other Seahawk listed as out this week.
The final Seahawk listed is defensive end Bruce Irvin (thigh), who actually isn’t even on the official Seattle depth chart. He didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday, but was able to fully practice on Friday. He is listed as probable.
While there are still three games after the San Francisco one, sweeping their NFC West rival would put an extra cherry on top of the already sweet season Seattle is currently having. In addition, a win this week guarantees the ‘Hawks a top four seed in the playoffs as they would officially clinch the divisional title.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1:25 pm PDT.
For reference:
- Probable: a 75% chance the injured player will be medically cleared for the game
- Questionable: a 50% chance the injured player will be medically cleared for the game
- Doubtful: a 25% chance the injured player will be medically cleared for the game
- Out: there is no chance the injured player will be medically cleared for the game
For more Seahawks news and updates, visit Seahawks Central.
Matthew Asher is a freelance journalist. From an early age, sports have played a major role in his life. He graduated from Emory University with a B.A. in Journalism. After college he spent 2 years working with CNN Sports and still occasionally writes sports articles for several publications both in the United States and Canada. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
