SEATTLE — There is a faint silver lining in the cloud of injuries hovering over the Seattle Seahawks.
Young, unheralded players are getting a chance to play meaningful snaps.
Sunday against Oakland, rookies Brock Coyle and Kevin Pierre-Louis started at linebacker in place of Bobby Wagner (turf toe) and Malcolm Smith (groin).
They didn’t have highlight-worthy plays like Bruce Irvin or the 13 tackles of K.J. Wright. But Coyle and Pierre-Louis held their own in a defense that allowed 226 yards, nearly 100 fewer than Seattle has allowed on a per-game average this season. Seattle allowed just 37 yards rushing.
“I saw some really good plays,” Carroll said of Coyle. “To play the running game like that, he had to be on it.”
Coyle, a Montana grad, made the team with an impressive preseason. He entered his first career start Sunday with four tackles.
Pierre-Louis has seen action the past four games, including a three-tackle performance a week ago at Carolina.
“The past two weeks were great as a confidence-booster,” the rookie from Boston College said. “I’ve been able to have the game slow down a bit as I’m getting more confident in my play.”
Offensive line “circus”
Seattle has experience putting together makeshift offensive lines.
Sunday offered a different challenge entirely. Injuries forced backups not just to play, but move to positions they’re not used to.
“It was a circus out there trying to get guys into their spots,” Carroll said. “I think (offensive line coach) Tom Cable said this was the most challenging game he ever coached.”
Left tackle Russell Okung has battled multiple injuries that finally forced him to sit out Sunday. Also out was center Max Unger, who has missed the past month with a foot injury.
Enter second-year players Alvin Bailey and Patrick Lewis. Rookie Garry Gilliam also saw action at tight end.
“Our team got better today because young guys played,” Carroll said. “We’ll be better down the stretch.”
Quick kicks
• Nine-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Walter Jones was inducted into the Seahawks Ring of Honor at halftime.
• Bruce Irvin’s interception return in the first quarter was the Seahawks’ first defensive touchdown of the season. They had four last year.
• The Seahawks had a punt blocked for a touchdown for the first time since 2003.
• Richard Sherman had his first interception of the season Sunday. He has had eight each of the past two seasons.
