The Seahawks already face a difficult task tomorrow night when they host the 49ers in the last of three Thanksgiving Day games.
That challenge is made even more difficult by the fact that Seattle is dealing with multiple injuries to key players, as quarterback Geno Smith and running back Kenneth Walker both enter tomorrow with injuries.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported today that Smith hasn’t been able to test his bruised elbow much in the short week.
Smith spent today’s practice determining how much he could throw to set expectations for his availability tomorrow.
Later in the afternoon, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo said “all indications are (Smith) to play” against the rival 49ers on Thursday night.
In Walker’s case, head coach Pete Carroll told reporters that Walker suffered from a “legal oblique strain,” according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Based on Carroll’s calls to the press, it appears Walker may miss time, but Schefter further indicated the team does not view him as a candidate for injured reserve.
Walker likely would have missed a regular week off, but with a short week, it would be extremely unlikely Walker would be in attendance tomorrow, so his playing status is uncertain.
In addition to Smith and Walker, Schefter said the Seahawks will also be without rookie safety and special teams star Jerrick Reed II, who reportedly suffered a torn ACL and will miss the rest of the season.
New Mexico’s sixth-rounder hasn’t been asked much on defense this year, but he currently ranks third on the team in special teams tackles.
Here are some other injury rumors from around the league
The Colts placed second-year tight end Jelani Woods on IR with a hamstring injury shortly before the start of the season to create a roster spot for wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie.
At that point, it was clear that Woods would miss at least the team’s first four games, but as of today, he has yet to make his debut in 2023. He is eligible to be activated on IR, but according to FOX59/CBS4’s Joel A. Erickson,
Woods suffered a setback in his rehabilitation with his contralateral hamstring that will keep him from returning for the time being.
Head coach Shane Steichen said he “don’t know” if it will be a season-ending setback.
The Browns may have one of the best defenses in the league this year, but their secondary is limping into Week 12 as all four starters are questionable as of Wednesday.
Safeties Grant Delpit and Juan Thornhill and cornerback Greg Newsome II all have a good chance to play Sunday, but cornerback Denzel Ward is dealing with a shoulder injury that could not only keep him out of this weekend’s game, but perhaps beyond. according to Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com.
The team isn’t ready to cut Ward yet, but is preparing for the idea of losing him for multiple games.
We’ve seen ankle sprains take up playing time for several players this season.
Patriots offensive tackle Trent Brown sought a second opinion on his ankle injury yesterday, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, and was diagnosed with both a high and low ankle sprain, as well as an anterior cruciate ligament sprain.
Players have missed time with less, but Brown reportedly plans to play despite ankle and knee injuries.
