Pete Carroll: Seahawks should have Michael Bennett, Mike Morgan back this week
Nov 28, 2016, 10:32 AM | Updated: 2:39 pm
Michael Bennett has missed the last five games because of a knee injury. (AP)
(AP)
The Seahawks could have four defensive starters back for Sunday night’s game against Carolina.
The key word there is “could.” That will depend on how free safety Earl Thomas and cornerback DeShawn Shead progress this week from their hamstring strains. At the very least, though, coach Pete Carroll is confident that defensive lineman Michael Bennett and strong-side linebacker Mike Morgan will be back.
Morgan has been practicing the last two weeks since the Seahawks designated him for return from Injured Reserve. Carroll said last week and reiterated again on Monday with “Brock and Salk” that Morgan has been ready to play physically, having recovered from surgery on his groin and gotten back into playing shape. He’s just had wait to become eligible to play, which he now is after spending the requisite eight weeks on IR.
Bennett, meanwhile, has missed the last five games because of a knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery. Carroll said he “has a chance to play” Sunday night then said that he should.
“We were anticipating that he had a chance last week,” Carroll said. “It was close enough that we thought about it, but this is the week that he should come back, and if all goes well, we should see that happen.”
Thomas and Shead both missed Sunday’s game because of first-degree hamstring strains they sustained the week before. Carroll has noted that the time frame for those injuries is typically 10-14 days, but he said Shead was nearly able to play Sunday after having a “very good” workout Friday. They both have a chance to play Sunday night, he said.
“That’s four guys on defense,” Carroll said. “That’s a pretty good boost.”
Carroll also said linebacker Brock Coyle will play Sunday night after missing the Tampa Bay game with a foot injury. Defensive end Damontre Moore has a chance to play after missing Sunday’s game with a foot injury of his own. Carroll called it a badly bruised foot.
Carroll didn’t mention tight end Luke Willson, who suffered a first-degree knee sprain Sunday. Carroll said after the game that it didn’t seem to be too serious.
