Seahawks final injury report for Week 4 versus Lions is bleak

Just when the injury outlook was beginning to look good for Seattle, it turned awful. The Seahawks will need everyone to step up Monday night versus the Lions, or that undefeated record will be toast. Not the good kind with avocado, either.

Seattle was hoping for good news on the final injury report heading into their Monday Night Football clash with Detroit. Sadly, that isn't exactly how it played out. After Friday's report, I wrote that the Seahawks would need all hands on deck. As it turns out, they'll need even more help, especially on defense.

The Hawks expected to have Uchenna Nwosu back on the field for their first big test of the 2024 season. No offense to the fans of the Broncos, Patriots, or Dolphins, but none of those teams look like they're going anywhere near the postseason this year. After this latest injury news, the Seahawks could be hard-pressed to look like a playoff-caliber team as well. At least, that's how it looks for the game at Ford Field.

The Seattle Seahawks will have to overcome major injuries on defense

It isn't just Nwosu who'll be out of the lineup, either. His counterpart on the other side of the field, Boye Mafe, will miss the action as well. Yes, Derick Hall is coming off a fantastic performance against Miami. But with Nwosu and Mafe both out, Dre'mont Jones and Drake Thomas will have to come through to keep the Lions from simply double-teaming Hall.

It would be easier for the 12s to say, well of course Jones can do it, except that he may be needed to line up as a traditional defensive tackle. Both Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II are out for Monday, too. As our own Luke Allen points out, one of the biggest matchups is the Lions offense against the Seahawks defense. While Murphy isn't exactly a starter, he's just about as important as any of the other three defenders Seattle will be missing.

Thankfully it isn't all gloom and doom. Jerome Baker should be back, although he's listed as questionable. His presence should be a major boost to the defense and gives Mike Macdonald another chess piece in his matchups. Best of all, Kenneth Walker will be back too, giving the Hawks the one-two punch we anticipated this season. And miracle of miracles, Christian Haynes is expected to get significant playing time, too.

As for the Lions, safety Ifeatu Melifonwu is out, and has been placed on injured reserve. He's been out all season, so that doesn't change what we've seen from Detroit so far. Center Frank Ragnow will miss Monday's game as well. That at least should ease the Seahawks defensive task just a bit.

Yes, this is going to be a tougher game than expected. Given that Seattle has won six straight over Detroit, Ford Field will be rocking, as well the Lions. The good news is that all four players are quite likely to return next week. Now, if the Hawks can just get past the Lions...

Detroit Lions final injury report:

• C Frank Ragnow (pectoral) out

CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (hamstring) questionable

Seattle Seahawks final injury report:

• LB Boye Mafe (knee) out
• DT Byron Murphy II (hamstring) out
• DE Leonard Williams (ribs) out
• LB Uchenna Nwosu (knee) out

LB Jerome Baker (hamstring) questionable

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