Seahawks-Bears Inactives: Seattle gets Lockett back but thin at CB
Dec 26, 2021, 12:07 PM | Updated: 12:19 pm
(Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The Seahawks host the Chicago Bears in a rare snow game in Seattle, and while they will have a few players back after missing last week’s game in Los Angeles, COVID-19 is still impacting the team’s roster here in Week 16.
Seahawks’ Lumen Field blanketed in snow for Bears game
First, the good news.
The Seahawks will have leading receiver Tyler Lockett back after his bout with COVID. Lockett, who missed his first game of the year last week, leads the team in receiving yards and is tied for the team lead in receptions.
Running back and special teams ace Travis Homer is also back after sitting last week out.
As far as who’s out, the Seahawks have five players on the current roster inactive for Sunday’s game: running back Alex Collins, defensive end Kerry Hyder Jr., linebacker Jon Rhattigan, quarterback Jacob Eason and offensive lineman Dakoda Shepley.
Collins and Hyder missed last week’s game as they were on the reserve/COVID list, and while they did not carry an injury designation heading into Week 16, that pair will not suit up.
Eason and Shepley have been regular healthy scratches for the Seahawks all year long while Rhattigan suffered a knee injury in last Tuesday’s loss to the Rams that likely ended his rookie season.
The Seahawks also have five members of the 53-man roster who are still on the reserve/COVID list, and those players all are key contributors.
Starting cornerback D.J. Reed is out for a second straight week, and Bless Austin, who started for Reed last week, was placed on the reserve/COVID list over the weekend. With those two out, Sidney Jones and John Reid are expected to be Seattle’s starting cornerbacks. The team also has Nigel Warrior as an option.
Defensive tackle Bryan Mone, who has been a steady contributor this season, is also out for the second game in a row, as is starting right tackle Brandon Shell. Robert Nkemdiche will play instead of Mone along with Poona Ford and Al Woods in the middle of the Seahawks’ defensive line while undrafted rookie Jake Curhan likely will start in place of Shell yet again.
Tight end Will Dissly is also on the reserve/COVID list after playing last week.
Additionally, the Seahawks have two practice squad players – tight end Ryan Izzo and cornerback Mike Jackson – who are on the reserve/COVID list.
To assist with the players who are out due to COVID, the Seahawks recalled safety Josh Jones, defensive tackle Myles Adams, wide receiver Cody Thompson, tight end Tyler Mabry and linebacker Edmond Robinson from the practice squad.
For the Bears, they will be without starting rookie quarterback Justin Fields (ankle) and backup quarterback Andy Dalton (hand and groin), with Nick Foles starting at QB instead.
Also out for the Bears are receiver Jakeem Grant (concussion), left tackle Jason Peters (ankle), defensive back Xavier Crawford (concussion) and offensive lineman Lachavious Simmons (healthy scratch).
Listen to Steve Raible and Dave Wyman call the game live on 710 ESPN Seattle and KIRO 97.3 FM at 1:05 p.m. For information on how to stream the game, visit this link.
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