JOHN CLAYTON

Clayton: Seahawks healthy at key time in critical game for playoff hopes

Nov 12, 2021, 2:19 PM | Updated: 2:25 pm

Seahawks QB Russell Wilson...

Seahawks QB Russell Wilson warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

(Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Can a healthy Seahawks team change the bad history the team has in Green Bay?

Carroll: Wilson returns for Seahawks, Carson a gameday decision

The Seahawks have not won in Lambeau Field since 1999. The Seahawks anticipate Aaron Rodgers will be back on the field after missing one game for a positive COVID-19 test. But the bye week did help the Seahawks gain some optimism.

The biggest piece of new is that Russell Wilson should be able start and return coming off his middle finger injury. He worked hard to put himself in a position to return. His doctor said it was the worst injury he’s seen for a player but he also said he’s never seen a player work harder to rehab an injury.

Wilson said the finger isn’t 100 percent but it’s not too far away. What will be interesting to see is if his throwing is a little bit off as his hand adjusts to a three-hour challenge. I would expect he would be mostly in shotgun so he doesn’t risk any further pain by taking snaps from center.

What also will be interesting is to see how effective Aaron Rodgers can be coming off the COVID-19 list. He didn’t practice this week. That’s not big because he clearly knows the offense, but some players are a little weaker coming off the list. Cam Newton admitted a few weeks after he came off the COVID-19 list last year in New England that he was weaker.

You know Wilson and Rodgers were campaigning management to sign Odell Beckham Jr. He ended up signing with the Los Angeles Rams. Wilson most likely handled it well, but you wonder whether Rodgers accepted it. One of his big gripes with management, which could lead to him getting out of Green Bay next year, is that the front office didn’t get him enough weapons at receiver. They also lost tight end Robert Tonyan for the season. He was emerging as a promising tight end and pass catcher in the offense.

Reports were the Packers where only willing to offer Beckham the minimum salary. The Rams got him for about $1.25 million.

Wilson will get a receiving option added Sunday in rookie Dee Eskridge, who hasn’t played since the season opener because of a bad concussion. He can get some plays as the third receiver.

The Seahawks’ defense will have to slow down wide Davante Adams, who is one of the best receivers in the league. They also will need to make sure the Packers don’t generate too many yards from the running game.

This is an important game for the Seahawks. They don’t want to lose and drop to 3-6. Clearly to think about the playoffs, the Seahawks have to win either this week or next week against Arizona.

But at least they have Wilson back at quarterback. They have a chance.

Follow John Clayton on Twitter.

Heaps: Why Seahawks’ run game is especially ‘vital’ against the Packers

The John Clayton Memorial Fund

Benefitting the Multiple Sclerosis Society

The Professor's Notes

John Clayton hosted a daily video breaking down the NFL

John Clayton

John Clayton Memorial Fund...

No Author

John Clayton Memorial Fund benefiting the Multiple Sclerosis Society

Seattle Sports and Bonneville International are honored to announce the “John Clayton Memorial Fund.” The John Clayton Memorial Fund will benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

2 years ago

Seahawks Russell Wilson, DK Metcalf...

John Clayton

Clayton: What’s next for Seahawks after kicking off ‘major’ rebuild

After some major moves, John Clayton breaks down what the next things to watch for with the Seahawks are heading into the new league year.

2 years ago

Seahawks Russell Wilson...

John Clayton

Clayton: Won’t be easy for Seahawks to replace Wilson after surprising trade

After a surprising trade he never thought would happen, John Clayton shares his immediate reaction to the Seahawks' trade of Russell Wilson.

2 years ago

Seahawks Action Green...

John Clayton

Clayton: Why you shouldn’t worry about salary cap with Seahawks this offseason

Seahawks fans and followers are worried about how they can re-sign players and stay under the salary cap. John Clayton says they shouldn't be.

2 years ago

Seahawks Russell Wilson, Pete Carroll...

John Clayton

Clayton: The big news from Seahawks, NFC West as combine begins

Wednesday was a big news day for the Seahawks and the NFC West. John Clayton breaks down what's going on in Seattle's division.

2 years ago

Seahawks Rashaad Penny Russell Wilson Chris Carson...

John Clayton

Clayton: How RBs in NFL Draft should help Seahawks this offseason

The Seahawks should be looking to bring Rashaad Penny back, but a loaded class of running backs is likely to help them in a few ways.

2 years ago

Clayton: Seahawks healthy at key time in critical game for playoff hopes