Seahawks make it official: Shaquem Griffin will start week one

The Seahawks have one of the best human-interest stories in the NFL in Shaquem Griffin. But the linebacker can flat out play.

The Seahawks announced on Wednesday that K.J. Wright will not be playing on Sunday versus the Denver Broncos. In Wright’s place will play rookie Shaquem Griffin. Griffin is the twin brother of Seattle cornerback Shaquill Griffin.

But we all know what gets Shaquem a lot of attention and that is that he has just one hand. My question is how long will he get noticed for this? In preseason games he produced at a relatively high level. Griffin had a lot of tackles but mostly again backups. But he still showed speed and flashes of brilliance.

The real test, of course, comes Sunday. That is when Griffin will go against starters that have been schemed to avoid him. Griffin will be challenged in coverage as well as being in the right spot for the opposing team’s run game.

Griffin will make mistakes. Any rookie will. Hopefully those mistakes will not cost Seattle’s defense a touchdown or a splash play. And we might even see just what a difference there is between Griffin and Wright. Wright has made it to a Pro Bowl. Griffin has not even played in his first NFL game.

Of course, Griffin could be the new Lou Gehrig. Maybe he plays so well that Wright has to split time when he returns. Or 12s will feel like Wright should split time. That would be a good thing, actually. It would mean Griffin was great against Denver.

Either way, the importance – or lack of importance – of Griffin having just one hand will diminish with each passing week. Eventually he will just be a member of the Seahawks, like every other player. Maybe. Or maybe he will be much better than most. The first step to what Griffin becomes will be discovered on Sunday.