Seahawks could get some key pieces back after bye week

This season, Seattle has had to rely on their young depth to fill in at many roles. After their week 7 bye, the Seahawks are set to get some of their key players back, including one debut.

KJ Wright, JD McKissic, and newly acquired tight end Ed Dickson have played a combined zero snaps this season. After the Seahawks week 7 bye, all three players could be available in Detroit for week 8.

Wright has been held out all year after a knee procedure late in the preseason. In his place, younger players like Shaquem Griffin and Austin Calitro have gotten their shot at the position. While they were not awful, they certainly did not account for the production Wright can offer. With Wright possibly returning and joining Bobby Wagner and Barkevious Mingo in the starting lineup, Seattle would be at full strength at the linebacker position for the first time all season.

Running back JD McKissic has been on IR since fracturing a bone in his foot in the preseason. He is eligible to come off IR and return to the team after the bye week. The only problem is the Seahawks would have to make room him. The likely scenario is CJ Prosise losing his spot on the team, as he has been ineffective thus far. McKissic could improve the element of pass catching out of the backfield to the offense, something Seattle has not necessarily had all year. Running backs have caught 25 passes so far this season. McKissic had 34 last season in 13 games. He’s a bigger addition than many realize.

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Finally, and possibly most importantly, veteran tight end Ed Dickson will also be eligible to return after the bye week. The tight end position has been hurting, to say the least. Promising rookie tight end Will Dissly is out for the year and starter Nick Vannett has been held out with a lingering back injury. This is a perfect time for the newly signed tight end to debut as a Seattle Seahawk. Dickson was placed on the non-football related injury list before the preseason, and has yet to see the field.

These three players returning could be big for the team, as the Seahawks are sitting at 3-3 and still very much in position to make a run at the postseason. While Wright and Dickson will likely take over their respective starting positions, it is worth noting how well their younger replacements played in their absence.

The return of JD McKissic strengthens the running back position even more after solid production from Chris Carson, Mike Davis, and rookie Rashaad Penny. After an injury spell last season, the running back position has become a strength this season. The three running backs have averaged over 150 yards per game as a unit over the past four games. Adding McKissic to the unit just adds that much more versatility.

The Seahawks travel to Detroit on October 28 for their first game after the bye week. The addition of these three players is huge, especially KJ Wright. It puts Seattle in a much better position to compete for a playoff spot. And who thought we could say that after the 0-2 start? Go Hawks!