Tyler Lockett, Ryan Neal among 5 Seahawks questionable vs Rams
Jan 6, 2023, 2:13 PM
Tyler Lockett of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates his catch for a first down on October 23, 2022. (Harry How/Getty Images)
(Harry How/Getty Images)
The Seahawks enter their Week 18 clash with the Los Angeles Rams needing a win and some help from the Detroit Lions in order to get into the playoffs as a Wild Card team. Seattle will also face some pretty big question marks ahead of kickoff against the Rams.
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The Seahawks have five players listed as questionable for Sunday’s contest, including star receiver Tyler Lockett.
Lockett missed a Week 16 Seahawks loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and was questionable to play in last week’s win over the New York Jets, but he did in fact suit up and start.
But Lockett got hurt in that game, suffering a leg injury that caused him to enter the locker room before halftime and not return to action until the start of the fourth quarter. That shin injury is why Lockett is questionable to play against the Rams.
Head coach Pete Carroll told reporters on Friday that Lockett “looked good” at practice and is expected to play against the Rams.
Seattle also has two offensive linemen questionable to play in starting left guard Damien Lewis (ankle) and right guard Phil Haynes (ankle). Lewis missed Week 1 due to injury but has started every game since. Haynes has started just three games in 2022, but he has played more than half of the Seahawks’ offensive snaps this season as he rotates with Gabe Jackson.
Lewis “turned his ankle” in practice this week but “he thinks he’s playing,” Carroll said.
Haynes will be a true game-time decision to play.
On defense, two notable players are questionable to play: safety Ryan Neal (knee) and defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson (illness).
Neal has missed the Seahawks’ last two games due to the knee injury. He’s been Seattle’s starting strong safety since Week 5, taking over for Josh Jones who took over for Jamal Adams, who suffered a season-ending leg injury in Week 1.
Neal is “making progress” but seemed pessimistic that he will play in Week 18.
Jefferson has appeared in all 16 games for the Seahawks this season and has played roughly half of the team’s defensive snaps. After picking up 1.5 sacks last week against the Jets, Jefferson now has a new career-high for sacks in a single season with 5.5.
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