No matter how good your favorite NFL team may be, a rash of injuries at the wrong positions can bring even the most promising of seasons to a screeching halt. Right now several quality teams around the league are experiencing that first-hand, including the participants for this week's Thursday Night Football matchup, the 3-2 Seattle Seahawks and the 2-3 San Francisco 49ers.
Since this is a short week injury news is a precious commodity, but also more unreliable than ever. Nevertheless, let's review what we (think) we know about several key injured players for both teams going into Week 6.
CB Riq Woolen
The biggest name on the injury report for the Seahawks this week is star cornerback Riq Woolen, who suffered an ankle injury in Sunday's disastrous home loss to the New York Giants. Woolen was one of four players who were listed as non-participants at Tuesday's walkthrough practice. If Woolen can't play the next man up is likely Nehemiah Pritchett, who performed well in the fourth quarter last week when he subbed in for Tre Brown.
OLB Uchenna Nwosu
Perhaps even more damaging than a potential inactive destination for Woolen, Seattle's best edge defender Uchenna Nwosu suffered a thigh injury in his 2024 season debut against the Giants. Yesterday we learned the team plans to place Nwosu on injured reserve, so he will miss at least the next four weeks. It's another rough break for Nwosu, who also missed the second half of the 2023 campaign with a pectoral injury. The Seahawks' run defense has consistently suffered with Nwosu on the sidelines.
OLB Derick Hall
Nwosu's absence will likely be particularly painful this week, because the team's two next-best edge rushers are also on the injury report. Breakout second-year outside linebacker Derick Hall suffered a foot injury against the Giants and he was also listed as a non-participant yesterday. Head coach Mike Macdonald told reporters that Hall will not play on Thursday night. He has tallied a team-high five sacks so far this season.
OLB Boye Mafe
Next up on the sack leader list is Boye Mafe (three sacks), who has been dealing with a knee injury since the win over the Miami Dolphins - which feels like it happened about two million years ago. Mafe sat out against the Detroit Lions and the Giants, but he was listed as a full participant on Tuesday, which is a good sign for his availability against the 49ers.
DL Byron Murphy II
Leonard Williams was back in the lineup against his former team after sitting out Week 4, but Seattle's interior defensive line rotation is still missing first-round draft pick Byron Murphy. BMII has been dealing with a hamstring injury for a few weeks. Murphy is a DNP at practice and will also not be playing against the 49ers, according to coach Macdonald.
FS Julian Love
Star Seahawks free safety Julian Love was listed as limited with a hamstring injury, which we'll assume is the same thigh injury that did not keep him out of the lineup last week. Love was the only Seahawks player listed as limited.
49ers injury updates
As for the enemy's injury situation, the Niners are still without superstar running back Christian McCaffrey, who has not played yet this season due to Achilles tendinitis in both of his legs.
As for this week's injury report, there are a few other key players who may not be available for Santa Clara. That includes cornerback Charvarius Ward, who was a "DNP" on Monday but was upgraded to limited yesterday. Meanwhile, kicker Jake Moody has been a non-participant so far this week. Tight end George Kittle and linebacker Fred Warner have been limited both days.
Both teams will be releasing their final injury reports of the week later today.
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