Seahawks likely to limit WR D.K. Metcalf’s snaps to open season

With Seahawks rookie wide receiver D.K. Metcalf a full go in practice Friday, the question remains: How much will the recently-injured phenom play in his NFL debut this Sunday?

“I think they’re going to protect him,” said 710 ESPN Seattle’s Brock Huard. “I don’t think you’re going to see him play 40 snaps, 50 snaps; I think he’s going to go in there for probably 15 or 20 snaps.”

That said, don’t expect Metcalf’s limited playing time to be anything less than interesting, with the team likely to get him involved in a handful of big plays.

“When he is out there, don’t be surprised at all — especially that quick little receiver screen — if they find a way to get the ball in his hands,” said Huard.

D.K. Metcalf most exciting Seahawks rookie since Russell Wilson

Metcalf, selected in the 2nd round of the 2019 NFL Draft, was viewed by many analysts as the most physically gifted receiver in all of college football.

And despite his limited route-tree, that physicality gives the Seahawks plenty of options to get him the ball in space.

“You saw this even in the first preseason game he played, I do hope there’s a little bubble screen to him to get the ball in his hands and allow him to catch,” Huard described. “And maybe [Seahawks wide receiver] Jaron Brown is out in front of him and makes a block, and you allow 6’4”, 230 [pounds] running a 4.3 [40-yard dash] the opportunity to be in space and to make something happen.”