Seahawks with Important Absences to Face the Saints
The Seattle Seahawks could face the New Orleans Saints on Sunday with several significant absences in their roster. In addition to the absences on defense, the team could also lose their running back Zach Charbonnet.
The Seahawks have listed Charbonnet as “questionable” for the game, 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 currently under consideration to be placed on the injured reserve list.
Charbonnet has missed all three practices this week due to a foot injury, according to the team. Macdonald specified that Charbonnet injured his toe in the Seahawks’ victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers last week.
Charbonnet and Ken Walker III have shared the spotlight in Seattle’s backfield for the first two games. 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, securing the Seahawks’ victory with a 19-yard touchdown run in the final quarter.
George Holani, who helped the Seahawks pull away in that game by falling on a kickoff in the end zone for an unusual touchdown, is their number 3 running back. They also have rookie Jacardia Wright on their practice squad.
The Seahawks managed to limit Aaron Rodgers to 203 passing yards despite the absence of Witherspoon (MCL sprain) and Emmanwori (high ankle sprain). Love played through a groin injury and didn’t miss a snap, but he injured his hamstring against Pittsburgh and couldn’t practice this week until his limited participation on Friday.
Josh Jobe, who had been Seattle’s third cornerback, started in Witherspoon’s absence last week, with Derion Kendrick as the slot cornerback and D’Anthony Bell covering Emmanwori’s role as the “big nickel.” 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 may be a good sign for their availability next Thursday against the division rival Arizona Cardinals.
Macdonald acknowledged that the rapid change with the game against Arizona influences the team’s decisions about 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 ESPN BET, which ties for the second-largest point spread in Week 3.
