Uchenna Nwosu going on injured reserve could force Seahawks to make huge move

As sad as it seems, Seattle Seahawks edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu seemed destined to go on injured reserve at some point this season. He likely should have started on injured reserve after injuring his knee in the preseason and missing the first four games. He came back in Week 5 but then hurt his thigh. Due to that, Nwosu is now being placed on IR, according to the NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, and will miss at least the next four games.

This follows last season when Nwosu tore a pec in Week 7 and missed the rest of the year. In other words, in a season plus two games, Nwosu might have played only one for Seattle. That is if he can return in Week 11 (Seattle has a bye week in Week 10). As unhealthy as Nwosu has been, presuming he will return after missing four games is likely foolish.

Before 2023, Nwosu remained mostly healthy. He missed only four games in his first five seasons, and he signed with Seattle during the 2022 offseason. His snaps counts were not overly high until his fourth year, however - in his first three seasons, Nwosu did not play more than 42 percent of defensive snaps - so it could be with him playing more and facing more wear and tear, his body simply does not hold up as well.

Could the oft-injured Uchenna Nwosu be a cut candidate for the Seahawks next offseason?

The problem for the Seahawks is that Nwosu is an expensive player. He is a well-rounded and productive player, too, but only if he can consistently be on the field. He will have missed all by one game in the first part of 2024 after missing the entire second half of 2023. Plus, Seattle will have cap issues next offseason.

According to Over the Cap, Seattle only has $6,298,295 in cap room in the 2025 offseason. The Seahawks would be able to roll over whatever they don't use this year into next offseason, but that is only estimated to be about $8 million. Even if Seattle gets to $15 million, that is not enough to chase high-end free agents, re-sign some of Seattle's own, sign draft picks, and pay the practice squad.

Seattle is going to have to make some tough roster decisions next offseason. The team could sign DK Metcalf and Geno Smith to extensions, and that would help some, but other players, such as the underperforming Dre'Mont Jones, might need to be released. Due to Nwosu's recent injury history, Seattle might need to ask themselves if he needs to be a cut candidate.

Nwosu has two years left on his current deal after 2024. He does not have any guaranteed money in 2025 and 2026, though. Releasing him would open up $8,481,666 in cap room for Seattle. The Seahawks would then rely on Boye Mafe and Derick Hall to continue their fine play from this year. Keeping Nwosu is definitely an option if he can finish the year healthy, but that might be a huge ask.

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