Seahawks creeping closer to not having one key player versus Cardinals Week 12

The Seattle Seahawks' season looked doomed heading into Week 11. The team had not beaten the San Francisco 49ers in years, including earlier this season when Seattle lost at Lumen Field to San Francisco, and Seattle had skidded badly entering the bye week. But then, the Seahawks played exceedingly well in Week 11 and beat the 49ers 20-17.

Did this turn the season around? Maybe. Seattle has to prove they can have two good games back-to-back by beating the NFC West-leading Arizona Cardinals in Week 12. Arizona is better than most expected in 2024, and their defense is a huge reason. The Cardinals have not allowed a touchdown in their last three home games. Thankfully, Seattle hosts Arizona in Week 12.

Still, Seattle has the offensive talent to score against the Cardinals. The question might be if the Seahawks can limit Arizona's offense to get the victory. Seattle will clearly need all of its best defensive players to potentially win a low-scoring game, but Seattle also appears to possibly be without defensive lineman Leonard Williams.

Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman Leonard Williams in danger of missing Week 12 versus the Cardinals

Williams has yet to practice this week with a foot injury. He has struggled with the problem for some time, but previously was able to practice in a limited fashion. There is a chance that Seattle is holding Williams out simply to not risk injuring the foot further and Williams will be good to play. That is the hope anyway, and Williams has been around long enough that missing much practice should not affect his play in any given game.

So far this year, Williams has 29 total pressures, including three sacks, and 12 run stuffs. He is Seattle's most consistently high-end interior defensive lineman, and he has a great chance to be a future Pro Football Hall of Famer. The drop-off between Williams and his backup is precipitous. None of them can get pressure on opposing quarterbacks while equally playing the run extremely well as Williams can.

Seattle will announce its final injury report for Week 12 on Friday afternoon. Other players in danger of missing Sunday's game include tight end Brady Russell and wide receiver Laviska Shenault, Jr. Right tackle Abraham Lucas sat out Thursday's practice, but he is likely to play on Sunday. Seattle can overcome the losses of Russell and Shenault, but a Seahawks defense without Leonard Williams could be greatly diminished.

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