Injuries to Tre Flowers and Rashaad Penny should worry Seahawks versus Saints

The Saints might be without Drew Brees in week three, but the Seahawks might be without at least two key players of their own on Sunday.

Things seemed easier on Monday, didn’t they 12s? We knew then that the Saints would be without Drew Brees in week three. What we didn’t know, however, is that the Seahawks might be without Rashaad Penny and Tre Flowers. That is bad. Penny hurt his hamstring Friday and Flowers injured his ankle on Thursday, both in practice.

I am not saying I think Brees out versus Flowers out is a pure trade off. But Seattle simply doesn’t have a lot of quality depth behind Flowers and opposite corner Shaquill Griffin. A competent quarterback could take advantage of any corner but especially a backup without good talent. Teddy Bridgewater, who will be starting for the Saints in place of the injured Brees, is a competent quarterback.

Flowers hasn’t been ruled out against the Saints. Yet. But an ankle injury to a player who plays one on one outside is worrisome. The cornerback was better in week two than week one, but he would be better than any player Seattle currently has on its roster that would take his place in week three.

Penny hurt his hamstring in non-contact practice on Friday. In his rookie season of 2018, Penny seemed to have issues overcoming being hurt. He had never had to play with injuries before and in the NFL this is a must. Will Penny be able to bounce back and play versus the Saints? The Seahawks need him to.

Both Penny and Flowers are listed as questionable versus the Saints. So is safety Tedric Thompson. Thompson missed week two and, honestly, Seattle might have been better without him defensively. No offense to Thompson, but 12s probably want Marquise Blair to take over his position sooner rather than later.

Ethan Pocic and Neiko Thorpe are listed as doubtful for Seattle. Thankfully, guards D.J. Fluker and Mike Iupati seem good to go against the 27th-ranked Saints rush defense. Defensive lineman Poona Ford and defensive end Ziggy Ansah also seem likely to play. This is good news for Ansah who has yet to play meaningful snaps for the Seahawks.

Out for the Saints are Brees, of course, with a broken hand. Plus, receiver Tre’Quan Smith and Sheldon Rankins. Rankins had 8 sacks for the Saints in 2018 but hasn’t played yet in 2019.