Seahawks’ DT Naz Jones, LB D.J. Alexander out, TE Luke Willson questionable for Week 17
Dec 29, 2017, 2:21 PM | Updated: 2:37 pm
Seahawks TE Luke Willson suffered a "minor sprain" in practice this week. (AP).
(AP)
Any possibility of an appearance by the Seahawks in the postseason depends on a win by both Seattle and the Carolina Panthers Sunday. Regardless of whether or not the Seahawks make it, Dec. 31 will be the team’s last appearance at CenturyLink Field for the 2017 season, and head coach Pete Carroll wants to make it worthwhile for fans.
“We want to go out and leave a real strong message about how much we love playing there,” Carroll told reporters Friday. “We’ve talked about that, and we owe it to (the fans), they’ve been extraordinary forever, and we need them, and we’re gonna need them on this game, and we’re gonna play like crazy to make sure we’re all connected on that.”
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The Seahawks are fairly healthy heading into their regular season finale against the Cardinals Sunday. Three players are questionable, though head coach Pete Carroll told reporters Friday at least two of those Seahawks are expected to start.
Tight end Luke Willson remains the only question mark. He landed on the injury report this week after he turned his ankle in practice, but Carroll called it a “minor sprain.”
“We’ll see what happens,” Carroll said. “Give him a day here and see what happens on gameday.”
Linebacker Bobby Wagner (hamstring) and guard Luke Joeckel (foot) are also listed as questionable, but are expected to play.
“(Wagner is) in good shape, he’s ready to go,” Carroll said of the All Pro linebacker, who has been dealing with a hamstring injury for several weeks. “This is the best he’s been.”
Meanwhile, defensive tackle Nazair Jones will miss his fifth-straight game with a high-ankle sprain — a dissappointing end to a regular season for the rookie, who had otherwise been having a promising debut.
“We really do miss him,” Carroll said of Jones’ absence. “He was making plays. He was making things happen. Knocking balls down and getting penetration, and being active and chasing the ball. He’s done a lot of great things for us. He’s a terrific draft pick from last year’s draft class, and we’ve had to go without him.”
Linebacker D.J. Alexander (concussion) will also be sidelined.
Illness landed a couple players on the injury report earlier this week — including Earl Thomas, Eddie Lacy and Michael Bennett — but all are expected to play.
