Seahawks’ options at cornerback with Jeremy Lane returning, Cary Williams struggling

Jeremy Lane is on his way back and, at least for now, Cary Williams is on the bench. Those two developments could lead to a shakeup in Seattle’s secondary. Here’s a look at where things stand and what options the Seahawks have at cornerback:

Lane’s health is a major variable. Coach Pete Carroll said Monday that he will be activated this week from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, which will make him eligible to play Sunday against Pittsburgh. But Carroll offered no assurances about how much Lane will be able to play right away. Seattle has until Monday to activate Lane per PUP rules, so doing so this week wouldn’t necessarily be an indication that he’s completely healthy and ready to play. Carroll even said Lane is still not in top physical form as he continues to work his way back from the serious knee and wrist injuries he sustained in the Super Bowl.

Lane has primarily played in the slot, but Carroll said he’s also an option at the right cornerback spot opposite Richard Sherman, which is up for grabs following Williams’ benching. That may be more of a consideration for down the road. It’s hard to imagine Seattle throwing Lane into an every-down role right away considering where he is physically and how he isn’t as familiar with that position as he is at nickelback.

Right now, then, Seattle’s two likeliest options at right cornerback are DeShawn Shead and Williams. Shead moved outside from the slot when Seattle benched Williams late in the third quarter of Sunday’s game. Carroll used the words “OK,” “alright” and “solid” to describe the way Shead played there while noting that he allowed a couple of completions. Seattle didn’t make that move believing necessarily that it would be permanent, and Carroll’s comments made it clear that the job is wide open.

That means Williams is still in play. For all the issues he’s had in coverage this season, he has played well at times and by far has the most experience of any of the other options at that position.

And Seattle’s history suggests that getting benched doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll get buried on the depth chart. Two seasons ago, Carroll pulled cornerback Brandon Browner from a game against Tennessee because he kept getting beat deep, both on that day and the week before. It was only temporary. Browner returned to the game against Tennessee and was back in the starting lineup the next week, having held off Walter Thurmond and Byron Maxwell to keep his job. Carroll later characterized the move as a message that Browner needed to receive. Perhaps his thinking is similar with Williams.

If Seattle were to stick with Williams at right cornerback, Shead would remain a possibility at nickelback along with Lane and Marcus Burley. A completely healthy Lane would be Seattle’s best option, but all indications are that he’s not quite there yet. Shead has played well there since taking over after Burley broke his right thumb in Week 4. Burley also has experience in the slot. He started there for half the season last year and replaced Shead on Sunday when he moved outside.

Something the Seahawks will surely consider with Burley is that he’s had to wear a hard cast on his right hand to protect his thumb. That presumably makes tackling and catching more difficult. In fact, Burley dropped what would have been an interception on Sunday when a pass bounced off his right hand.

Rookie fifth-round pick Tye Smith is the other cornerback on Seattle’s roster, but he has only played on special teams in his two appearances this season and does not appear to be ready to contribute regularly on defense.

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