There is some good news for the Seattle Seahawks on the injury front heading into Week 7. The team will get rookie defensive tackle Byron Murphy II back. He is expected to make a positive difference in terms of run defense, but that might need to be downplayed a bit. When Murphy played in the first three games, he was better in pass rush than stopping the run.
Still, Murphy's quickness will add an element to the interior of the defensive line that veteran Johnathan Hankins simply does not have. Hankins had to pick up a lot of reps in the absence of Murphy in the last three games. Hankins can go back to a supporting role which should help him and the defensive front over the course of a game.
The problem for Seattle in Week 7 versus the Atlanta Falcons is that Seattle is basically decimated in the cornerback group. Devon Witherspoon will play, which is good, but he will be playing with a bunch of backups. Communication could potentially be an issue and Witherspoon is going to have to help his teammates even more against a good Falcons offense.
Seattle Seahawks' final injury report for Week 7 versus the Atlanta Falcons
Seattle will be without Riq Woolen (ankle) and Tre Brown (ankle) versus Atlanta. This will force rookie Nehemiah Pritchett to start. In limited snaps, Pritchett has been decent in coverage but horrible in tackling. He has made one solo tackle and assisted on another, but he has whiffed on three more. Missing 60 percent of your tackle attempts is going to help your team lose.
Seattle also is thin at safety. Rayshawn Jenkins was placed on injured reserve this week and will miss at least four games. K'Von Wallace will start in his place, but after Wallace and Julian Love, there is no proven depth. The only player who might fit that role is Coby Bryant but he might need to play a lot of nickel with Woolen and Brown out.
In other words, if the Seahawks do not get much pressure on Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins, the QB could obliterate Seattle's defense by throwing for north of 400 yards. Pritchett needs to find a way to be great on Sunday.
Seahawks listed as out:
- Offensive tackle Stone Forsythe - hand
- Cornerback Tre Brown - ankle
- Cornerback Riq Woolen - ankle
- Safety Jerrick Reed II - knee