Heading into the last practice of Week 16, Seattle Seahawks fans could be sure of two things. One was that tight end Brady Russell and edge rusher Trevis Gipson were not going to be active for the team's game against the Minnesota Vikings. The other was that Seattle was going to get running back Kenneth Walker III back.
Even if Russell and Gipson were healthy (and they aren't; Russell has an ongoing foot problem and Gipson has an ankle issue), they were unlikely to play. Neither is expected to be an impactful player, and Gipson is worthy of being released. He has been terrible this season.
Walker has missed the last two games with calf and ankle injuries, but he practiced fully on Thursday and that likely ended any will-he-play or won't-he drama entering Friday. The question now is how much the Seahawks should split the reps between Walker and Zach Charbonnet. Charbonnet has been pretty good for the last two games starting in place of Walker.
Seattle Seahawks final injury report for Week 16 likely gives an undrafted rookie a chance to prove himself
Quarterback Geno Smith was never in doubt about playing either. Not that he would sit the game out if he was able to run at all. Smith is a lot like former Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. Both had the drive to not only play every game but every down. With Smith, he also has a history of being a backup in the NFL and does not want anyone taking his job away.
He hurt his knee in Week 15 against the Green Bay Packers, and Sam Howell replaced him. There is no quarterback controversy in Seattle, though. Howell was awful for most of the second half.
Center Olu Oluwatimi, who has not been overly good in the limited time he has had a chance to play, also hurt his knee in Week 15. He was replaced by undrafted rookie Jalen Sundell. Oluwatimi is a good guy and a smart person, but he has yet to develop into a competent professional player. Oluwatimi does not have an injury designation on the final report, but he was limited in practice this week.
Sundell, though, is 6'5" and 300 pounds, but after replacing Oluwatimi against Green Bay, the center allowed zero pressures in 37 pass-block snaps. He struggled more against the run, and he needs to add some strength, but he has great athleticism and a high football IQ. If given the chance, he might turn into the Seahawks' new long-term center.
Seahawks final injury report designations for Week 16:
- Tight end Brady Russell (foot) - Out
- Edge rusher Trevis Gipson (ankle) - Out
- Safety K'Von Wallace (ankle) - Out