OL’s Max Unger, Breno Giacomini unlikely to play against Texans

Jan 6, 2013; Landover, MD, USA; Seattle Seahawks center Max Unger (60) gestures during the second quarter of the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Offensive linemen Max Unger and Breno Giacomini are “doubtful” to play in tomorrow’s contest against the Houston Texans.

The two join nine other Seahawks on Seattle’s official injury report, though six of those nine are listed as “probable”.

Unger, who has been dealing with an arm injury, was limited in Friday’s practice while Giacomini’s knee injury kept him from participating at all, according to Clare Farnsworth at Seahawks.com.

Their absence on Sunday, and the absence of Russell Okung, will mean that Seattle will be without three of their original five starting lineman.

The Seattle Times noted that Michael Bowie will likely play right tackle for Giacomini while Lemuel Jeanpierre will handle the snaps at center for Unger.

Bowie is listed at 6-foot-4 and 332 pounds. He is in his rookie season after playing two seasons at Oklahoma State University. Jeanpierre is 6-foot-3 and 301 pounds. This is his third year with the Seahawks, where he has played in 34 games but started just five.

The Texans will already be an imposing matchup, but the Seahawks’ injuries may play a large factor in the game.

Here is a list of the other injuries Seattle placed on their end-of-the-week status report on Friday, according to the same article by Farnsworth.

Out

DT Jordan Hill (biceps)
SS Jeron Johnson (hamstring)
RB Spencer Ware (ankle)

Doubtful

OT Breno Giacomini (knee)
C Max Unger (arm)

Probable

DL Michael Bennett (groin)
CB Brandon Browner (hamstring)
DE Red Bryant (back)
WR Jermaine Kearse (ankle)
LB Malcolm Smith (hamstring)
OG J.R. Sweezy (back)

Most of the players listed as “probable” are expected to play tomorrow. Seattle would really like to see J.R. Sweezy help out the offensive line, which has been spread thin by injuries.

That offensive line will have to be on its toes to defend the like of J.J. Watt and Brian Cushing, whom head coach Pete Carroll knows from when they were a coach-player tandem at USC.

Kickoff is at 10:05 a.m. PDT.