The Seattle Seahawks have ruled out starting linebacker Drake Thomas and running back Zach Charbonnet for Thursday night's game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and defensive tackle Leonard Williams have no game designations, though both are dealing with ankle injuries. Williams was again listed as limited Wednesday, while Smith-Njigba was a full participant.
Coach Mike Macdonald said Smith-Njigba and Williams are ready to play. "Those guys, they're ready to play," he said. "Looked good. On the short week, it's unfortunate we lost a couple of guys. Drake got out of the game and other guys are still out, but we're in a good spot." Thomas hurt an ankle in Seattle's loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday and has not practiced all week. Tyrice Knight will start at weakside linebacker in his place. A 2024 fourth-round pick, Knight made nine starts as a rookie and four last year. "We're confident he'll play great and the standard stays the same on defense," Macdonald said.
Charbonnet, a co-starter last season, is still recovering from February ACL surgery. Macdonald said the team was not planning to play him against Denver, though he did not rule it out. Charbonnet has been limited on every injury report since being designated to return to practice on Oct. 1, and the Seahawks have until Oct. 22 to activate him from the physically unable to perform list. "He looks tremendous," Macdonald said. "Our focus is on playing a game. He's not playing in this game."
With Charbonnet on PUP and rookie first-round pick Jadarian Price on injured reserve, Emanuel Wilson and George Holani will lead Seattle's backfield, with Velus Jones Jr. third on the depth chart. The Broncos will be without All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain II and safety Talanoa Hufanga, both with ankle injuries. Cornerback Riley Moss, who starts opposite Surtain, is questionable with a rib injury.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing