Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smith out vs. Raiders

Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smith will not play in Sunday’s game against the Oakland Raiders.

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smith will not play in Sunday’s game against the Oakland Raiders, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said Friday on radio station KIRO.

According to the team’s latest injury report, Smith did not practice on Wednesday and Thursday and his absence was not injury related. Smith did injure his groin in last Sunday’s victory against the Carolina Panthers but returned later in the game.

Backup Brock Coyle will most likely get the starting nod in place of Smith and rookie linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis will also get significant snaps in the game, reports the Seattle Times.

In seven games this season, Smith, the Super Bowl XLVIII Most Valuable Player, has 27 total tackles and two forced fumbles for Seattle (4-3). 

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Among the players who did not practice on Thursday were defensive end Michael Bennett (toe), defensive tackle Jordan Hill (ankle) and safety Jeron Johnson (concussion).

Linebacker Bobby Wagner and tight end Zach Miller have already been ruled out for the game.  

- Scooby Axson