RENTON — Injuries on the offensive side of the football continue to take their toll on the Seattle Seahawks.
Center Max Unger and tight end Zach Miller are questionable to play against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday and head coach Pete Carroll said both would be game-time decisions.
If Unger can’t play, the Seahawks will be down three starters on their offensive line for the second straight week. Left tackle Russell Okung is on the short-term injured reserve list with a toe injury and right tackle Breno Giacomini has been ruled out after having surgery on an injured knee earlier this week.
Unger injured his left triceps against the Jacksonville Jaguars two weeks ago and has been severely limited in practice since. Carroll had been optimistic about Unger’s chances to play earlier in the week but his recovery hasn’t been as quick as anticipated.
“He got some work done this week. It hasn’t gone as quickly as we had hoped,” Carroll said. “I can’t tell you more than that so he goes in questionable and we’ll see what happens on game day.”
Lemuel Jeanpierre would get his second straight start if Unger can’t play on Sunday. Paul McQuistan would start at left tackle with Michael Bowie making his second start on the right side.
“The fact that those guys get to come back, they’re more ready than they have been,” Carroll said. “We expect them to play really clean and sharp football and they’re going to have to play well. So that’s what we’re counting on.”
Miller’s absence would further weaken Seattle’s offensive front as he is a capable blocker that the Seahawks have been able to use to help protect quarterback Russell Wilson. Rookie Luke Willson would start in place of Miller.
Linebacker Bruce Irvin is expected to make his season debut for Seattle after serving a four-game suspension for a violation of the league’s performance-enhancing drugs policy. Irvin practiced all week with the team and Carroll said they want to get him on the field Sunday.
Notes: DT Jordan Hill practiced all week after suffering a strained biceps in training camp. He’s listed as probable to play but Carroll said he isn’t a part of their game plan this week and they plan to wait another week to get him back on the field. … DE Michael Bennett (back) practiced all week and is probable after leaving last week’s game against Houston in an ambulance.
