The Seahawks’ defense will be considerably short-handed Sunday against the Panthers.

O’Neil: Seahawks, set up for a blazing finish, epitomize Carroll’s career

Seattle will play its second straight game without linebacker Mychal Kendricks, and defensive end Jadeveon Clowney was downgraded to out Friday afternoon after initially being designated as questionable for Sunday’s game earlier in the day.

Kendricks was ruled out with a hamstring injury for the Week 15 game in Charlotte against the Carolina Panthers on Seattle’s injury report released Friday afternoon. On Friday’s The Pete Carroll Show on KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, the Seahawks head coach said that Kendricks was unable to practice all week due to the lingering issue.

Clowney, who has a core injury that will likely require surgery in the offseason, also dealt with an illness this week. Clowney missed Seattle’s Week 13 game against the Vikings due to the core injury.

Also on the injury report, defensive end Ziggy Ansah, tight end Luke Willson and cornerback Shaquill Griffin are all listed as questionable.

Ansah has been in and out this season due to a shoulder injury that was surgically repaired last offseason, however it’s a neck issue that is listed next to his name on the injury report. He has missed two of Seattle’s last four games, including last week’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Carroll said he would be a gametime decision Sunday.

Willson hasn’t played since Nov. 3, missing four straight games with a hamstring injury.

Griffin also has a hamstring injury, which first appeared on practice reports this week. He has played all 13 games for the Seahawks this season, and if he cannot play it would be a significant blow for Seattle’s defense as he has been arguably the most solid member of the secondary.

Running back Rashaad Penny, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury last Sunday, was also listed as out on the injury report, but that was a formality as Seattle had not yet made a move to place him on injured reserve. The Seahawks are expected to activate offensive lineman Ethan Pocic to take Penny’s roster spot.

Seahawks-Panthers injury report for Sunday: Mychal Kendricks OUT, Clowney/Willson/Griffin/Ansah are QUESTIONABLE. pic.twitter.com/MK5Yblj1Pw

— Stacy Jo Rost (@StacyRost) December 13, 2019

Follow 710Sports.com’s Brent Stecker on Twitter.

More Seahawks coverage

• Moore: Hawks should be able to run on Panthers, but D still a concern
• O’Neil’s Playoff Watch: Seahawks don’t need to streak into postseason
• Russell Wilson shares interesting look into on-field mentality
• Heaps: WR Josh Gordon needs snaps over role players
• O’Neil: What happened to Seahawks’ big plays in the passing game?
• Playoff Scenarios: Seahawks need help to clinch berth in Week 15

Follow @BrentStecker