Seahawks’ Bruce Irvin to miss 49ers game; Paul Richardson’s status still unknown

RENTON – Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin will likely be sidelined for at least one week and possibly two because of a knee injury he sustained Sunday against Arizona.

Coach Pete Carroll made that announcement Wednesday while also saying the team is still uncertain about the status of wide receiver Paul Richardson, who is dealing with a hamstring injury.

Irvin left in the second half of Sunday’s game with a sprained MCL. Coach Pete Carroll said Irvin won’t play Sunday against San Francisco barring a “miraculous” recovery and that the team hopes he’ll be sidelined for no more than two weeks.

Mike Morgan will start at strong-side linebacker in Irvin’s absence. Carroll said Kevin Pierre-Louis will see some playing time as well. Another option would have been to move K.J. Wright to the strong side – where he has previously started – and replace him with either Morgan or Pierre-Louis, but Carroll said he wanted Wright to remain at what has been his best position.

Irvin’s absence will also affect Seattle’s defensive line as he typically rushes on passing downs. Carroll said rookie Frank Clark as well as Cassius Marsh will play in Seattle’s nickel defense with Irvin out.

Richardson was injured while hauling in a 40 yard-reception late in the second half of Sunday’s game, which marked his return from the torn ACL he sustained in last season’s playoffs. Carroll said that tests revealed some damage to Richardson’s hamstring but that Richardson doesn’t feel injured. He won’t practice Wednesday and will jog on Thursday.

“We’re not going to know until we start to work him,” Carroll said about Richardson’s status. “He’s resting again today and then we hope to find out. He actually feels pretty good about it. He doesn’t sense that he’s hurt but he did feel it in the game and then it did show up on the MRIs.”

Cornerback Jeremy Lane will be somewhat limited on Wednesday, but Carroll said he’s on track to make his 2015 debut on Sunday so long as he makes it through the week without any setbacks. Lane practiced last week for the first time since breaking his arm and tearing his ACL in the Super Bowl.

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