For the Seattle Seahawks to win a lot of games in 2025, the defense is going to have to remain elite. Eventually, however, injuries will catch up to a team. The positive part for Seattle is that the team they are facing in Week 5 is maybe in a worse situation than it is.
Out for Seattle are cornerback Devon Witherspoon (knee), safety Julian Love (hamstring), edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence (thigh), and backup offensive lineman Josh Jones (ankle). The frustrating part is that by the time Week 5 comes around, the Seahawks will have had nearly 10 days in between games.
Witherspoon played in Week 4, but didn't seem fully healthy. The assumption is he has aggravated his injury somehow, and the hope is he isn't out too much longer. Love also played against the Arizona Cardinals, so it is unclear how he could be less healthy now.
Seattle Seahawks missing a couple of key players versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5
The good news is that everyone else seems ready to play. That means rookie Nick Emmanwori will be back after getting hurt early in Week 1. His snaps might be higher than expected, too, since Love won't be available.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming to Lumen Field down a couple of key threats on offense. Wide receiver Mike Evans was expected to miss the game with a hamstring injury. He missed Week 4, too.
Running back Bucky Irving was injured during Tampa Bay's Week 4 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, and he will miss the Seahawks game, too. Through four games, Irving had 237 yards rushing, but he was just as effective as a receiver. He had caught 19 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns.
His 430 total yards ranked seventh in the league. Clearly, he is integral to what the Bucs do with the entire offense, not just running the ball.
Defensively, Tampa Bay ruled out starting cornerback Jamel Dean, but also his backup, Benjamin Morrison. The Buccaneers are excellent against the run and have a fantastic front seven, so they can make up for the losses of Dean and Morrison, but if the Seahawks' offensive line plays well, Seattle should be able to outscore Tampa Bay.