Bobby Wagner to return, Drew Nowak to start against 49ers

RENTON – Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner will play Thursday night against San Francisco, returning to Seattle’s starting lineup after missing Sunday’s game with a pectoral injury.

The other significant personnel update that coach Pete Carroll shared Wednesday was that Drew Nowak will start at center. He lost that job a week ago to Patrick Lewis, whose injury led Seattle to bring back Lemuel Jeanpierre this week for this third stint with the team. Jeanpierre is familiar enough with Seattle’s system – he started 11 games over the past four seasons for the Seahawks – to come off the street and play two days after re-joining the team, but Nowak will start.

“We’re very fortunate to have Lem come back to us,” Carroll said. “He knows everything that we’re doing and he can jump back in.”

Lewis started for the first time this season on Sunday but sprained his ankle and has been ruled out for Thursday night’s game. Carroll said the team isn’t sure if that could be a long-term injury.

“We have to see how he responds. We really couldn’t check him out this week,” Carroll said. “He’s out of the boot already, feeling better. I just talked to him minutes ago, but we’ll have to see how he comes back Wednesday and all that. The break here may help him a little bit, but we’ll see what happens.”

Lewis is one of five players the Seahawks ruled out against San Francisco. The others are cornerback Marcus Burley (thumb), defensive tackle Jordan Hill (quadriceps), fullback Derrick Coleman (concussion) and linebacker Nick Moody (ankle). Asked if Coleman sustained a concussion in the car accident he was involved in last week, Carroll said: “Yeah, he hasn’t been cleared yet.”

Cornerback Richard Sherman (ankle) and right tackle Garry Gilliam (ankle) were both on the injury report this week, but both are listed as probable and Carroll said they’ll play.

Defensive end Frank Clark (hamstring) will return after missing Sunday’s game. Cornerack Tye Smith (hip) will also be back after missing Seattle’s last two games.

Carroll said linebacker Brock Coyle had surgery Tuesday on his injured knee. Coyle was placed on Injured Reserve/Designated for Return, which means he’s not eligible to play until Week 15.

OUT
CB Marcus Burley (thumb)
C Patrick Lewis (ankle)
LB Nick Moody (ankle)
FB Derrick Coleman (concussion)
DT Jordan Hill (quadriceps)

QUESTIONABLE
DT Demarcus Dobbs (shoulder)

PROBABLE
RB Marshawn Lynch (hamstring)
CB Tye Smith (hip)
DE Cliff Avril (ankle)
DE Frank Clark (hamstring)
LG Justin Britt (hip)
WR Tyler Lockett (hip)
SS Kam Chancellor (shoulder)
LB Bobby Wagner (pectoral)
RT Garry Gilliam (ankle)
CB Richard Sherman (ankle)

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