The Seattle Seahawks are preparing for a big matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Unfortunately, they’ll need to meet this challenge sans three crucial defensive backs. The Cowboys’ club has been reeling with injuries that have kept their secondary shorthanded ever since the season opener. Coach Mike Macdonald declared that new veteran CB Shaquill Griffin will be a very important piece this week. This will largely be determined by if he is signed from the practice squad.
Shaquill Griffin, a ninth-year veteran and a former Pro Bowl selection, made his return to the Seahawks this summer on a one-year deal. Griffin started his career with the Seahawks and has turned himself into a very solid player. Continuing, Macdonald indicated he’d be very happy with Griffin’s impact on the Hawks, saying, “I love having Shaq out there because he competes. He attacks all the mental stuff. He knows it. He just comes at it with a good disposition and he competes. We can take that into games, no question.”
Griffin’s status continues to be up in the air. At the same time, the Seahawks are dealing with injuries to other key parts of their secondary. Elite cornerback Witherspoon has only appeared in two games this season. He initially suffered an MCL bruise during the season opener, which has held him out since. In much the same way, safety Love has made limited offensive action, appearing in only three games due to a hamstring injury.
That all changed for the worse when Woolen departed the last game against Tampa Bay with a concussion. Woolen had prepared all week—predominantly practicing in a limited capacity. Sadly, he did not clear the league’s concussion protocol and will not be available for this Sunday’s matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Seattle’s defensive backfield hasn’t been able to keep a complete availability since the opening drive of the year. This new and unexpected challenge period will be a significant test of this team’s depth and resilience as they prepare to take on the Jaguars, down in Jacksonville. Shaquill Griffin is expected to start alongside either himself or Nehemiah Pritchett, who will fill in opposite Josh Jobe in the defensive lineup.
With all of these things combined, the Seahawks head into Sunday’s matchup at Cincinnati facing a massive uphill battle. Their dependence on Griffin and other raw, rookie defenders already had the potential to hurt their defensive game plan against a powerful, ramped up Jaguars team.
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