Seahawks Injuries: Dunlap gives team ‘a good sign’ he could play Sunday

The Seahawks ruled out three players for Sunday’s game with the Washington Football Team and listed four players as questionable, and there’s also the possibility that a few injured players are activated for the matchup.

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In his Friday afternoon press conference, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll went over the team’s injuries and the possibility that some players will play or be activated for Sunday. Here’s what Carroll had to say.

Dunlap appears more likely than Shell to suit up

The two most notable players on the Seahawks’ injury report are defensive end Carlos Dunlap and right tackle Brandon Shell. Both were listed as questionable. Also listed as questionable were backup safety Damarious Randall (foot) and backup cornerback Jayson Stanley (shoulder).

Shell has an ankle injury that caused him to miss two games before returning last week, but he left that game and never returned. Dunlap’s sore foot kept him sidelined last week against the Jets after playing the week prior against the Giants. Carroll made it sound like Dunlap has a better shot at playing than Shell.

“We held Brandon out (of practice) again today (Friday), but Carlos did practice today, so that was a good sign for him in hopes that he’ll be able to pull it off and play on the weekend,” Carroll said. ” … I won’t know really until gameday on both of those guys.”

If Shell is out, Cedric Ogbuehi, who has missed the last two games with a calf injury, would take his place. Carroll praised Ogbuehi’s ability in the press conference.

“He’s a fine athlete. He’s got all the physical stuff that he needs,” Carroll said. “It was really good for him to play in that game (against the Eagles) just to get comfortable with the game speed and all that. I think he has tremendous upside, so this is going to be a great challenge for him to play if he does and he’s going to have to play really well. But he is really capable. He’s got a great future.”

Homer, Jones, Haynes in “long-term situations”

The three players the Seahawks ruled out for Sunday’s game in Washington are running back Travis Homer (knee), guard/tackle Jamarco Jones (groin) and guard Phil Hayne (groin). Homer hasn’t played in over a month while Jones and Haynes both were out last week. Carroll said those three are all in “long-term situations,” while noting Homer also had a wrist and thumb injury in addition to the hurt knee.

“We’re working on what’s going on with those guys,” Carroll said. “It’s a little bit of a grey area right now.”

Carroll seemed to hint that roster moves could be coming that involve those three players.

“If you can just hang on for a few days, it will make more sense,” Carroll said.

Status report on Olsen, Penny, Dunbar and Flowers

In regards to what Carroll said about hanging on for a few days when discussing Homer, Haynes and Jones, four players to note are tight end Greg Olsen, running back Rashaad Penny and cornerbacks Tre Flowers and Quinton Dunbar.

Olsen (foot), Flowers (hamstring) and Dunbar (knee) are all on injured reserve while Penny (knee) is on the physically unable to perform list and hasn’t played this year.

Olsen, Dunbar and Penny are all eligible to be activated and could return a soon as Sunday. Carroll wouldn’t tip his hand on whether any one of them would be activated.

“All those guys practiced this week and made it through the week. So we have some options and we’ll let you know,” Carroll said.

He later added, “There’s always a chance,” that they could suit up.

Flowers is eligible to return next week when the Seahawks face the Rams. Carroll made it sound like that’s a strong possibility after a three-week stint on IR.

“He’s excited to get back. He thinks he’s ready to go, so we’ll look for him next week and he’ll have to work his way through it and show what he’s capable of doing and all that, but I know he’s pumped up about it,” Carroll said.

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