Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith told reporters the other night after the loss to the Detroit Lions that he's not a fan of moral victories. It's the right attitude to have for someone in Smith's position, where maintaining total accountability and a ruthless competitive edge means the difference between playing at the game's highest level and watching from the couch. As it happens, there are pretty much no moral victories to be found from Seattle's latest loss.
On Sunday the Seahawks not only got upset by the visiting New York Giants who were without their best player, they were exposed in several different glaring ways that other opponents will be sure to copy later on in the season. Their pass protection was hopeless, their run fits were a mess and their entire special teams unit looked to be in over their heads.
It gets even worse, too. The Seahawks' already-struggling defense suffered several injuries during the game and it sounds like at least one of them will mean another extended absence for a critical starter. Here's what we know about each of them.
OLB Uchenna Nwosu
The worst news is regarding edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu, who made his season debut yesterday after sitting out the first four games of the season with a knee injury - and that was after missing the second half of the 2023 season with a torn pec. Nwosu doesn't seem to be getting any luckier, as he exited Sunday's loss after playing just 20 snaps with a thigh injury. Today, head coach Mike Macdonald told ESPN radio that Nwosu might be out longer than the team wants with his thigh issue but offered no details.
CB Riq Woolen
Thus far the back end of Seattle's defense had been spared the rash of injuries, but that little piece of luck also came to an end in Week 5 when Riq Woolen was slow to get off the field. He was listed as questionable to return with an ankle injury but eventually did get back out there. Macdonald told ESPN he had no new information on Woolen's ankle.
OLB Derick Hall, OLB Boye Mafe
The Seahawks' edge rotation is hit particularly hard right now. Boye Mafe was already sitting out with the knee injury he suffered in Week 3 against Miami, and now third-stringer Derick Hall is banged up, as well. Hall left with a foot injury and was also listed as questionable to return. Hall has a team-high five sacks this year but Macdonald said he's not sure about Hall's status, nor Mafe's.
Seems like they'll need to sign some edge help this week before their Thursday night game against the San Francisco 49ers. For now, all we can do is wait for the first injury report of the week to come out.
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