The Seahawks had key players miss the second half of Seattle’s loss to the Chargers on Sunday. How significant are these injuries?
The Seahawks had to play without Chris Carson and Bradley McDougald (mostly) in the second half of Seattle’s loss on Sunday. On the positive side, the Chargers offense was unable to score against Seattle in the second half even though Seattle didn’t have McDougald. Seattle’s offense missed Carson, though.
According to coach Pete Carroll, Carson’s hip issue tightened at halftime and the running back couldn’t go back in. Carson started the game and was running well with 40 yards on eight carries.
I am not saying Seattle wins the game if Carson was able to play the entire game. But his loss changed the physicality of the offense.
The Seahawks were able to sustain the loss of McDougald somehow. McDougald was dealing with a knee issue all week in practice. Like Carson’s injury, McDougald had his knee “tighten” up at halftime. Delano Hill did OK in McDougald’s place. Seattle gave up no points to the Chargers offense in the second half though McDougald played just one down.
Guard D.J. Fluker suffered some kind of lower leg injury. The line was not as good without him. And Joey Hunt isn’t truly ready to start in the NFL at guard, it seems.
The good thing about Seattle’s injuries on Sunday is none appear long-term. Even healthy the Seahawks would be hard-pressed to defeat the Rams this coming week. But Seattle still has an outside shot at making the playoffs and will need to maintain health to have any chance to do so.