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Seahawks rule Jadeveon Clowney out for Panthers game week 15

By Lee Vowell

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 02: Jadeveon Clowney #90 of the Seattle Seahawks, top, knocks the ball loose from Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings during the game at CenturyLink Field on December 02, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Seahawks won, 37-30. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 02: Jadeveon Clowney #90 of the Seattle Seahawks, top, knocks the ball loose from Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings during the game at CenturyLink Field on December 02, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Seahawks won, 37-30. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /
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The Seahawks enter week 15 with several injury issues. Among them is Jadeveon Clowney, possibly Seattle’s best defensive player, who has been ruled out.

The Seahawks need one win, and a wee bit of help, to clinch a playoff spot on Sunday versus the Panthers. But Seattle’s pass rush is going to be sorely lacking when they face Carolina. Possibly Seattle will be without Ziggy Ansah, but worse they will definitely be without Jadeveon Clowney.

Clowney has already been ruled out with a core injury that will require surgery after the season. But he has been the Seahawks best defensive lineman – probably their best defensive player – all season. Clowney leads the NFL in being double-teamed and has 13 quarterback hits in 2019. No other Seattle player is in double figures.

While it is true that the Panthers have lost Cam Newton and also fired their coach, Seattle hasn’t yet proven they can simply show up and beat another team simply because they overwhelm the other team with talent alone. Seattle needs all its best players available nearly any given game to win. Clowney missing the game – any game – is really bad.

Take into account that Ziggy Ansah might also be out and the Seahawks are left with a whole lot on unproven and iffy stuff as far as getting to the Panthers quarterback, Kyle Allen. Allen isn’t the best quarterback in the NFL, but he is a professional and given time will complete passes and put his team in position to win. Seattle has had issues pressuring opposing quarterbacks all season, even with Clowney, and this Sunday might be worse.

Seattle will also be without Mychal Kendricks again too. He is dealing with a hamstring. In his place will start Cody Barton. Barton was OK against the Rams, but his inexperience hamstrings Seattle’s defense.

Finally, cornerback Shaquill Griffin might not play. He is dealing with a hamstring issue since he was injured in the Rams game. He did not practice this week and that is bad. Should Clowney, Kendricks nor Griffin play, Seattle is in serious trouble on Sunday.

Next. Should Seahawks trade for Odell Beckham?. dark

Thankfully for the Seahawks, Carolina will be without tight end Greg Olsen. Olsen, when healthy, has been one of the better tight ends in the league. Seattle has had issues covering tight ends so hopefully his stand-in, Ian Thomas, doesn’t go off on Sunday.

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