Seahawks Dealing With Plethora of Injuries Heading Into Week 3 Date vs. Panthers

With nearly a third of their 53-man roster on the injury report on Thursday, the Seattle Seahawks could potentially be without multiple starters when they battle the Carolina Panthers this weekend.

While the Carolina Panthers will likely be without starting quarterback Bryce Young, the Seattle Seahawks are the team dealing with the most injuries days before kickoff at Lumen Field.

After nine players sat out Wednesday's practice, the Seahawks had even more players sidelined on Thursday with 11 non-participants. All 11 players would be considered starters at their respective positions, including safety Quandre Diggs and guard Damien Lewis, who were added to the injury report after not having designations on Wednesday and didn't practice on Thursday.

As expected, cornerback Riq Woolen has not practiced so far this week due to a chest injury suffered in Sunday's win over Detroit and while coach Pete Carroll said he wouldn't be an injured reserve candidate, he indicated on Wednesday that the Pro Bowl defender would have to make "a pretty good recovery" to have any shot at playing against Carolina.

Away from Woolen, the Seahawks have a pretty banged up secondary, as safety Julian Love (hamstring) and cornerback Coby Bryant (toe) both missed their second straight practice on Thursday. Along with Diggs sitting out, safety Jamal Adams was downgraded to limited participant after being a full participant for the first time in Wednesday's practice. The veteran defender's status remains up in the air as he finishes recovering from a torn quad tendon.

Along with Jamal Adams being limited on Thursday, Julian Love and Quandre Diggs both sat out for the Seahawks, creating significant health questions at the safety position

“There’s always the possibility that the guy can play because he’s practicing with us, and he’ll go full-go today and have a great week, I hope," Carroll said of Adams on Wednesday. "We’re planning on making sure that we don’t do it until the time is exactly right so we’re trying to just measure that. Sensing from how he feels, he’s really excited about how close he is now. We’ll see what happens.”

Dealing with a groin injury, veteran defensive tackle Jarran Reed sat out for the second straight practice on Thursday. Carroll didn't provide any information on his status on Wednesday, but after placing rookie Mike Morris on injured reserve earlier this week, the Seahawks will be banking on him being available after resting this week. If he isn't able to play, Matt Gotel and/or recently signed Carl Davis could be elevation candidates from the practice squad.

Still "day to day" working back from a sprained big toe suffered in Seattle's season opener, starting left tackle Charles Cross hasn't practiced this week either and barring an unforeseen miraculous recovery, Stone Forsythe should be back in the lineup for a second straight week protecting Geno Smith's blind side. With Abraham Lucas on injured reserve, Jake Curhan will also start a second straight week at right tackle.

That's a LONGGGGGG injury list for #Seahawks... pic.twitter.com/QfsjC6nC7n

— Corbin K. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) September 21, 2023

All three of Seattle's other starters on the offensive line were also on Thursday's injury report with Phil Haynes downgraded to non-participant with a calf issue and Lewis added due to a sore ankle. In positive news, center Evan Brown (knee) participated fully on Thursday and looks ready to go after missing a handful of snaps against Detroit on Sunday.

Receiver DK Metcalf (ribs) and tight end Will Dissly (shoulder) missed practice for the second straight day, but the Seahawks appear to be playing the cautious card with both players. In particular, Metcalf told reporters on Wednesday that he was "feeling pretty good" and the team looks to be resting him to make sure he's fully recovered for Sunday's matchup.

In another positive development, edge rusher Boye Mafe and inside linebacker Devin Bush returned to practice in limited capacity on Thursday after sitting out Sunday's win in Detroit. While they didn't practice on Wednesday as Carroll said they would, the fact they were able to return to action on Thursday bodes well for their chances of playing against Carolina on Sunday.

“We’re counting on them to be available if they can make it through the week. We’re going to have to see how that goes; day-to-day but they’re both going full-go today.”