Derick Hall, the Seattle Seahawks’ outside linebacker, faces a one-game suspension without pay due to violations of the NFL’s conduct policy. The league made this call after witnessing grievous unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct during a recent Raw match. Hall, a second-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, is a key player on Seattle’s four-man outside linebacker rotation.
This season, Hall has played in about 30 snaps/game, while making a huge impact on the field with the defensive side of the team. Over 13 games, he recorded just one sack and ten total QB hits. The 2024 campaign is where his production really peaked, as he accumulated eight sacks and twenty quarterback hits. His absence will leave a keenly-felt void in the Seahawks’ defensive picture, looking ahead to their next game.
The process behind Hall’s suspension comes at a point when the Seahawks are deep in the weeds with injuries on their roster. Cornerback Coby Bryant and safety Riq Woolen both went down with knee injuries in the fourth quarter. Their injuries occurred in an emotionally charged win in overtime over the Los Angeles Rams. Although Bryant’s injury is serious enough to warrant concern, Coach Mike Macdonald indicated that it “is not automatically season-ending right now.”
Along with Bryant and Woolen, safety Jovaughn Dotson also left the game with an ankle injury and did not return. The Seahawks will need to closely monitor these injuries as they look toward future games. They have to deal with Hall’s suspension in the meantime.
In a public statement, head coach Sean McVay criticized the league’s treatment of Hall. He underscored the importance of maintaining a positive example of sportsmanship on the field.
“And it was definitely not stuff we want in our game.” – Sean McVay
As the Seahawks navigate this challenging period, the coaching staff will need to adapt their strategy to account for Hall’s absence and the potential impact of injuries to key players. Whatever it is, they are intent on maintaining their mojo given the gritty, dogged win just earned against the Rams in a hardfought clash. Their hope is to expand upon this success in the coming weeks.
Leave a Reply