Seahawks to face Rams without Tyler Lockett, 6 others due to COVID
Dec 21, 2021, 11:10 AM | Updated: Dec 22, 2021, 10:54 am
Tyler Lockett reacts after a failed Seahawks two-point conversion against Washington on Monday. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Rams were able to get a handful of key players back from the reserve/COVID-19 list thanks to their game with the Seahawks being delayed two days. The Seahawks weren’t as lucky.
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Seattle placed two players on the list late last week, and over the past few days eight more players tested positive for the virus, as did linebackers coach John Glenn. Of those 10 total players on the reserve/COVID list, seven are on the 53-man roster while three are practice squad players.
Unfortunately for the Seahawks, none of the players who tested positive for COVID-19 were able to test out of protocol in order to be activated for Tuesday’s game against the Rams.
The players on the 53-man roster who are out with COVID are star receiver Tyler Lockett, starting cornerback D.J. Reed, starting right tackle Brandon Shell, defensive end Kerry Hyder Jr., defensive tackle Bryan Mone, and running backs Alex Collins and Travis Homer. The three practice squad players who have tested positive for COVID-19 are cornerback Mike Jackson, tight end Ryan Izzo and offensive lineman Pier-Olivier Lestage.
For the game against the Rams, the Seahawks activated running back Josh Johnson, receiver Cody Thompson, safety Josh Jones and defensive tackle Myles Adams from the practice squad.
The Seahawks also listed third-string quarterback Jacob Eason and backup interior offensive lineman Dakoda Shepley as inactive for the game.
Lockett leads the team in receptions (62) and receiving yards (1,023) and has five touchdowns, as well. This is his third season in a row with 1,000 or more receiving yards. With Lockett out, rookie Dee Eskridge and second-year player Freddie Swain will likely have bigger roles alongside Pro Bowl receiver DK Metcalf.
Collins leads the Seahawks in rushing attempts (108) and rushing yards (411). Homer is a key special teams player and has played on passing downs. Rashaad Penny is expected to be the team’s lead back for the second week in a row.
Reed is the Seahawks’ No. 1 cornerback. With Reed out, the Seahawks will turn to either Bless Austin or Nigel Warrior to start opposite No. 2 corner Sidney Jones.
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Shell missed last week’s win over the Houston Texans with a shoulder injury, with undrafted rookie Jake Curhan starting in his place. The Seahawks also have rookie sixth-round pick Stone Forsythe as an option at offensive tackle.
Hyder was a free-agent signing this past offseason after tallying 8.5 sacks last year. He has just 0.5 this year and has played 46% of Seattle’s defensive snaps.
Mone was potentially going to miss the game due to a knee injury before he tested positive for COVID. Poona Ford and Al Woods will be the team’s top two defensive tackles and Robert Nkemdiche, who has been a regular healthy scratch, will likely also get some playing time. Adams, who has yet to play in an NFL game, may see some action, too.
Kickoff for Seahawks and Rams is set for 4 p.m. Tuesday on 710 ESPN Seattle and KIRO Radio 97.3 FM.
