Seahawks LB Jordyn Brooks Active, Jarran Reed Out vs. Cardinals

The final inactives report for the Seattle Seahawks offered both positive and negative news on defense, as the team will have all hands on deck at linebacker but will be hurting without Jarran Reed along the defensive line against the Arizona Cardinals.
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While the Seattle Seahawks will be at full strength at linebacker against the Arizona Cardinals, they will be missing a crucial piece along the defensive line as they try to fight for a playoff spot in Sunday's season finale.

After missing practice all week with a knee bruise, Seattle will be without defensive tackle Jarran Reed, who currently ranks second on the team with seven sacks and has been one of the team's few consistent bright spots on defense. He received a questionable designation on Friday's final injury report and coach Pete Carroll called him a game-time decision.

Reed's absence further depletes a defensive line that will also not have the services of veteran Mario Edwards, who will miss his second straight game with a knee injury. To help add insurance in the trenches, the Seahawks promoted defensive tackles Matt Gotel and Austin Faoliu from the practice squad on Saturday and both will be in uniform for Sunday's game.

In the good news department, after being limited in practice on Wednesday and Friday, Seattle will welcome back linebacker Jordyn Brooks, who sat out last weekend's loss to Pittsburgh with an ankle sprain. Coach Pete Carroll seemed optimistic about his chances of playing in the finale when speaking with reporters and his presence should help defend Arizona's sixth-ranked rushing attack.

“He practiced well today. Wednesday and Friday we took him out there, and he did fine," Carroll said of Brooks.

As already announced on Friday, the Seahawks will be short-handed along the offensive line with tackle Abraham Lucas sidelined by a troublesome knee. After replacing him for the second half of last week's loss, Stone Forsythe will receive the start across from Charles Cross.

Key Matchups to Watch as Seahawks Battle Cardinals in Season Finale

Behind Forsythe, Seattle won't have veteran Jason Peters available for depth purposes due to a plantar fasciitis injury. With him and Lucas both out, third-year lineman Jake Curhan and rookie McClendon Curtis will suit up as backups capable of playing both tackle and guard in a pinch.

Capping of the Seahawks' inactives for Sunday's finale, running back Kenny McIntosh won't play with a thumb injury and rookie tackle Raiqwon O'Neal will be sidelined as a healthy scratch.


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Corbin K. Smith
CORBIN K. SMITH

Graduating from Manchester College in 2012, Smith began his professional career as a high school Economics teacher in Indianapolis and launched his own NFL website covering the Seahawks as a hobby. After teaching and coaching high school football for five years, he transitioned to a full-time sports reporter in 2017, writing for USA Today's Seahawks Wire while continuing to produce the Legion of 12 podcast. He joined the Arena Group in August 2018 and also currently hosts the daily Locked On Seahawks podcast with Rob Rang and Nick Lee. Away from his coverage of the Seahawks and the NFL, Smith dabbles in standup comedy, is a heavy metal enthusiast and previously performed as lead vocalist for a metal band, and enjoys distance running and weight lifting. A habitual commuter, he resides with his wife Natalia in Colorado and spends extensive time reporting from his second residence in the Pacific Northwest.