RENTON — The Seattle Seahawks could be down two starting offensive linemen and their starting tight end for Sunday’s regular-season finale in Arizona.
Pete Carroll said nothing will change with the game plan or how they intend to use quarterback Russell Wilson.
The Seahawks will be without starting tight end Luke Willson and starting right guard J.R. Sweezy and likely starting left tackle Russell Okung at Arizona. Willson and Sweezy are out with concussions, while Okung is listed as doubtful with a calf injury.
But Carroll offered a bright spot headed into the playoffs, saying that Marshawn Lynch continued to make progress in his recovery from abdominal surgery. Carroll is “anticipating” that Lynch will rejoin the team Monday. Carroll said the reports from Lynch’s trainers in the Bay Area say there have been no setbacks.
“He’s really tried to get back as soon as possible,” Carroll said. “He’s having the kind of success in the workouts that it’s not setting him back. We’re hoping that means he has a chance to get back.”
Willson’s concussion was known after taking a hit to the head during last Sunday’s loss to St. Louis, but Sweezy’s concussion didn’t become known until he was listed on the injury report Wednesday. Carroll said it was at the team’s morning walkthrough on Wednesday when it became apparent something was off with Sweezy. He had not reported any concussion symptoms after last Sunday’s game, but when he was examined Wednesday he was placed into the concussion protocol.
“We missed it on Monday and Tuesday. We didn’t see it,” Carroll said of Sweezy. “As soon as we got out here and ran around with him, we could tell that something was up, and so we had to dump him right into the protocol and see what we could get done with him.”
Okung was injured in Week 15 against Cleveland and was a limited participant in practice Wednesday. Carroll said Okung’s calf was sore on Thursday and was why he did not practice. Alvin Bailey will make his second straight start in place of Okung, while rookie Mark Glowinski will likely get his first extended playing time of the season filling in for Sweezy.
“You can only go with what you’ve got. We feel good about giving Mark a chance at this point,” Carroll said.
While there are injury issues on offense for the Seahawks, their defense is getting closer to full health. Strong safety Kam Chancellor (pelvis/tailbone) was listed as questionable after being a full participant in practice on Friday, while Michael Bennett (toe) and Cliff Avril (back) were both probable.
Chancellor has not played since the first quarter of the Week 14 victory at Baltimore, sitting out the past two games. Seattle also expects backup defensive tackle Jordan Hill (toe) back for the first time since Week 12 against Pittsburgh.
