Seahawks likely to be without Michael Bennett, Earl Thomas, DeShawn Shead vs Bucs

RENTON – The Seahawks will likely be missing three defensive starters against Tampa Bay on Sunday as coach Pete Carroll all but ruled out Michael Bennett, Earl Thomas and DeShawn Shead.

They were among a whopping 11 Seahawks who didn’t practice Wednesday. Cornerback Richard Sherman (ankle) is on that list, though the team made him available to the media on Wednesday, something it typically doesn’t do with players whose statuses are in question due to injuries. Also among the 11 players not practicing was center Justin Britt, who sat out with an ankle injury of his own.

Bennett is three weeks removed from arthroscopic knee surgery and was trying to make it back in time to play the Buccaneers, his former team. But it’s looking like he’ll miss his fifth straight game.

“It’s going to be really hard for Michael to make it this week,” Carroll said. “We were hoping, he was really hopeful, but I think it’s going to be pretty tough. It would be a big turnaround. It’s more like it looks like he will be ready to go next week.”

Thomas and Shead both went down in Seattle’s win over Philadelphia with hamstring injuries. Carroll said Shead’s cropped up over the weekend and that he was having trouble with it during the game, leading to his exit in the first quarter. Thomas pulled up lame while covering a deep pass in the third quarter. Carroll called them first-degree strains and noted how those typically take 10-14 days to heal.

Asked if they’re both doubtful for Sunday’s game, Carrol said: “It’s going to be hard for those guys to make it back.” Given how he tends to err on the optimistic side with injured players, that assessment suggests there’s pretty much no way Thomas or Shead will play.

That means Thomas will miss the first start of his seven-year career. He has started 106 consecutive regular-season games – a franchise record for a defensive player – plus 12 more in the playoffs.

Neiko Thorpe will take over at cornerback for Shead while Steven Terrell will replace Thomas at free safety as they did Sunday against Philadelphia.

Here was Richard Sherman on what he’s seen from FS Steven Terrell and CB Neiko Thorpe, who will likely start Sunday: https://t.co/mmfEpcyq6V pic.twitter.com/xDeHAxX7IH

— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) November 24, 2016

Carroll said of linebacker Brock Coyle, who left the Eagles game with a foot injury: “He’s talking like he’s going to be fine and he’s moving around already today. We’ll see. Should have a chance to play.” Coyle didn’t practice Wednesday.

Linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis, listed as a limited participant Wednesday, is OK after missing Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury. Pierre-Louis started one game at strong-side linebacker before injuring his ankle. Coyle has started there since.

Mike Morgan began the season as the starter there and could reclaim that job next week. That’s when he’ll be eligible to play for the first time, having missed the requisite eight weeks after being placed Injured Reserve. Morgan had groin surgery and began practicing again last week once the Seahawks designated him for return from IR.

“Mike will be ready to go next week,” Carroll said. “He really could play this week; he’s ready. He could have played last week. He’s in great shape. We just have to wait it out.”

Running back Troymaine Pope didn’t practice Wednesday, but Carroll said he’s recovering surprisingly well from the high-ankle sprain he suffered Sunday.

Did not participate

• DE Michael Bennett (knee)
• RB C.J. Prosise (shoulder)
• RB Troymaine Pope (ankle)
• C Justin Britt (ankle)
• WR Tanner McEvoy (toe)
• TE Jimmy Graham (knee)
• LB Brock Coyle (foot)
• DE Damontre Moore (foot)
• CB DeShawn Shead (hamstring)
• FS Earl Thomas (hamstring)
• CB Richard Sherman (ankle)

Limited participation

• LB Kevin Pierre-Louis (hamstring)

Full participation

• QB Russell Wilson (knee)

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