Seahawks Inactives: Four defensive starters out against Panthers

The Seahawks will be without four of their starters on defense against the Carolina Panthers, as defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, cornerback Shaquill Griffin, defensive end Ziggy Ansah and linebacker Mychal Kendricks won’t play in Carolina today due to injuries.

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Arguably the biggest surprise is Griffin, who has been great for the Seahawks this season.

Prior to this week, Griffin had missed just one game during his career. According to the Seahawks’ injury report, he was questionable to play with a hamstring injury. He was a limited participant in practice Wednesday and didn’t practice Thursday or Friday.

In Griffin’s place, it seems likely Akeem King will slide over from the nickel corner position to the outside spot opposite starter Tre Flowers. This could lead to more playing time for either rookie Ugo Amadi or Ryan Neal, who was promoted from the practice squad in place of the injured Neiko Thorpe. It could also cause Seattle to play more base three-linebacker defense.

Seahawks inactives vs. the Panthers pic.twitter.com/6otUkDLja2

— Seahawks PR (@seahawksPR) December 15, 2019

Kendricks was ruled out Friday, and Clowney, initially listed as questionable, was soon downgraded to out. It is the second game each has missed this season.

Clowney has been dealing with a hip and core injury that he suffered in Week 10. He missed Week 12, but played in the last two games.

Last week, head coach Pete Carroll said Clowney was also suffering from the flu, which had run rampant in the Seahawks’ locker room the week prior. Carroll said Clowney is the only player on the team who has the illness. Clowney did not practice Wednesday or Thursday and was a limited participant Friday.

Kendricks has an injured hamstring and won’t play. He was a game-time decision two weeks ago against the Minnesota Vikings but started and played in most of the game. He missed last week’s contest against the Los Angeles Rams and rookie Cody Barton started in his place for the first start of his career. Expect the same today against the Panthers.

Ansah has battled a shoulder injury throughout the season and missed last week’s contest against the Rams after leaving Week 13’s game against the Minnesota Vikings after making a tackle. He was also listed as questionable.

Tight end Luke Willson is missing his fourth-straight game with a hamstring injury. He left Week 10’s game against the San Francisco 49ers and has not played since. Like Griffin, he was limited Wednesday and didn’t practice the rest of the week. Jacob Hollister and Tyrone Swoopes are again the only two healthy tight ends not counting sixth offensive lineman George Fant.

Rounding out Seattle’s inactive list is offensive linemen Jordan Roos and Phil Haynes. The Seahawks activated offensive lineman Ethan Pocic from injured reserve to take running pack Rashaad Penny’s roster spot. Penny tore his ACL last week against the Rams.

For the Panthers, the most notable inactive is tight end Greg Olsen, who has a concussion.

The Seahawks had a five-game winning streak snapped last week and will look to start a new one today. They could also clinch a playoff berth with a win and some help as well.

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