The Seattle Seahawks desperately needed safety Julian Love in Week 3's loss to the Washington Commanders. AJ Finley took his place, and no matter how much the coaching staff says Finley did fine, no one can argue that he is Love, one of the most underrated players at his position in the league.
Love is dealing with a calf issue, and on Monday, head coach Mike Macdonald made it sound as if the safety might get back to practicing on Wednesday. On Wednesday, Macdonald said Love would practice, though his fellow presumed safety starter, Ty Okada, would not.
Okada has missed the first three games with a hamstring issue and has no timeline for his return. Imagine how much better the Seahawks' defense would be with Love and Okada fully healthy. It is worrying that Okada wasn't placed on injured reserve and is still out. This would have been the week for him to return.
Julian Love will be a player to watch in terms of availability for the Seattle Seahawks in Week 4
Love is expected to be limited on Wednesday, though. He might be so on Thursday, too, but the team won't know exactly where their star safety is until he can fully practice. He didn't practice at all ahead of Week 3.
Before missing the third game of the season, Julian Love had a streak of three straight games with an interception. He also communicates the alignment clearly on the backend of the defense. He is a bit like Quandre Diggs was for several seasons at the turn of the decade, but Love is a tick better.
He is fantastic against the run, elite in coverage, and a leader on the team. Not having him on the field isn't simply a matter of a potential breakdown in coverage, but also missing his voice on the sidelines after a play. It is different watching a game from the sidelines than being on the field as something develops.
Love's availability closer to Week 4, when the Seattle Seahawks take on the Los Angeles Chargers at Lumen Field, will be something to keep an eye on. If LA's offense is working at its best, quarterback Justin Herbert is throwing the ball with efficiency, but also creating an explosive play or two. Having Love on the field limits that quite a bit. Having AJ Finley on the field does not.
If Julian Love is still limited in Friday's practice, he could be limited on Sunday even if he does play. Injuries happen, of course, but the safety is one of the team's most valuable players, and having him on the field at full go makes everyone else better, too.
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