The Seattle Seahawks could face significant absences in their roster for the upcoming match against the New Orleans Saints, marking the second consecutive week with key absences in their defense. In addition, running back Zach Charbonnet is also expected to be out.
Key Players in Doubt
The current situation presents Charbonnet as “doubtful” due to a foot injury, along with Pro Bowl cornerback Devon Witherspoon, Pro Bowl safety Julian Love, and rookie safety Nick Emmanwori. Coach Mike Macdonald confirmed that none of the four players are under consideration to be placed on the injured reserve list at this time.
Charbonnet missed all three practices this week due to a toe injury suffered in the Seahawks’ victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The absence of Charbonnet could affect the running game, as he has shared the spotlight with Ken Walker III in the first two games.
Impact on the Ground Game
In the first two games, Charbonnet and Walker III have shared responsibilities in Seattle’s backfield. Charbonnet has played more snaps (66 to 44), both have the same number of touches (27), and Walker has been more productive (142 total yards versus 57, with one touchdown each).
Walker accumulated 118 total yards on 14 touches in Week 2, sealing the Seahawks’ victory with a 19-yard touchdown run in the final quarter.
George Holani, who contributed to the Seahawks’ victory by scoring a touchdown in the end zone after a kickoff, is the team’s third running back. They also have rookie Jacardia Wright on the practice squad.
In the previous game, the Seahawks limited Aaron Rodgers to 203 passing yards despite the absences of Witherspoon (MCL contusion) and Emmanwori (high ankle sprain). Love played despite a groin injury, but injured his hamstring against Pittsburgh and was unable to practice during the week until his limited participation on Friday.
Josh Jobe, who has been Seattle’s third cornerback, played in place of Witherspoon last week, with Derion Kendrick as the slot cornerback and D’Anthony Bell replacing Emmanwori. Coach Macdonald did not confirm whether Ty Okada will replace Love in the starting lineup, only that Okada and Bell will have more important roles this week.
Witherspoon and Emmanwori also returned to practice on Friday in a limited capacity, which could be a good sign for their availability against the Arizona Cardinals.
Macdonald acknowledged that the short turnaround for the game against Arizona influences the team’s decisions regarding the four doubtful players, “but we are trying to do everything possible to win this game.”
The Seahawks (1-1) are favored by 7.5 points over New Orleans (0-2), according to the bets, which represents the second-largest point spread in Week 3.
