Injuries are beginning to take a brutal toll on the Seattle Seahawks' defense. At one point in Week 12, Seattle was playing with one new, seemingly long-term (Drake Thomas) player and a couple of players who had recently spent time on the practice squad. That issue might be better in Week 13.
The new safety problem likely will not. While linebackers Ernest Jones IV and Tyrice Knight could return for the game against the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle could only have safeties Nick Emmanwori, Coby Bryant, and D'Anthony Bell available.
While former Pro Bowler Julian Love has missed much of the season with a hamstring injury and might not return for a bit longer, in Week 12, Ty Okada hurt his oblique. Having Emmanwori and Bryant is good, of course, but Bell hasn't gotten much playing time with Seattle defensively.
Seattle Seahawks might have to take a chance on Maxen Hook
Plus, going into a game with only three safeties knowing that no one can take their place should one get injured is far from ideal. This means former Philadelphia Eagles player Maxen Hook could be elevated from the practice squad and be expected to make an impact. The positive aspect is that many players this season have gone from unsung to one-week star for the Seahawks.
Hook was a fantastic college player at Toledo, making First-Team All-MAC three times. He was very good against the run, and while he didn't create a bunch of turnovers overall, he was solid in coverage. He also ran a 4.55 40 at the 2025 NFL Combine, so while not blazingly fast, he is just fast enough to play in a pinch.
After leaving Toledo, he went undrafted and was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles. He stayed a part of that organization until final roster cuts were made in late August, and then he was signed by the Seattle Seahawks on October 8.
Nothing about Hook screams immediate production, but what head coach Mike Macdonald loves in players is those who enjoy competing. Hook certainly does that. He isn't going to be a long-time starter anywhere, but he could be a valuable member of the locker room. He was a two-time team captain in college, so he absolutely has leadership skills.
Will he get a chance to shine for Seattle and prove he belongs in the NFL? Okada might be a candidate for injured reserve, and Love might not be ready to return. The Seahawks might not have any other choice but to see what Hook can do.