Prior to his team taking the practice field on Wednesday afternoon at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center, Pete Carroll shared injury updates on several Seahawks. Here's a look at what the Seattle head coach had to say:
"It's Going To Be Hard" For DeShawn Shead, Earl Thomas To Play at Tampa Bay
Cornerback DeShawn Shead and free safety Earl Thomas are each dealing with first-degree hamstring strains, with Shead's flaring up on the practice field last week and Thomas' stemming from the Seahawks' Week 11 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Carroll was asked if it's doubtful the pair will play this weekend against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"I would think so," Carroll replied. "It's going to be hard for those guys to make it back."
Seeing more time in Shead and Thomas' absence this past week were Jeremy Lane, who shifted from his nickel cornerback spot to the outside opposite Richard Sherman, as well as Steven Terrell, who subbed in at free safety for Thomas, and Neiko Thorpe, who saw snaps as the team's third cornerback. Carroll said Terrell would step in again if Thomas can't go.
"He's got a mild hamstring strain, so we're going to go slow with him this week, make sure we're doing the right thing," Carroll said of Thomas before noting Shead's situation is similar. "We won't rush him at all here."
Michael Bennett "Looks More Like He'll Be Ready To Go Next Week"
Defensive end Michael Bennett has missed the Seahawks' past four games with a knee injury that he had surgery on. Bennett was hopeful to make it back in time to face the Buccaneers, but that's "going to be really hard," Carroll said.
"He was really hopeful, but I think it's going to be pretty tough, it's going to be a big turnaround," Carroll said. "Looks more like he'll be ready to go next week."
Thomas Rawls "Really Excited To Play Again"
With C.J. Prosise and Troymaine Pope suffering injuries against the Eagles, Thomas Rawls saw more work than initially intended in what was the second-year running back's first action since hurting his leg in Week 2. While Carroll said Rawls "got banged up a little bit" against Philadelphia, he's expected to be ready to play against Tampa Bay.
"He's going to practice this week and we will look after him," Carroll said. "But I think in normal fashion he's really excited to play again. It looks good."
Earlier this week Carroll referred to Rawls feeling "like in a train wreck" after carrying 14 times for 57 yards and catching three passes for 31 yards against the Eagles, but clarified Wednesday that Rawls had not sustained any new injuries.
"He's just getting hit for the first time in a long time," Carroll said. "He took some pretty good shots, delivered a couple himself."
Extra Points
- Carroll called Pope's injury a "legitimate high-ankle sprain" on Monday, but on Wednesday said the rookie running back has responded faster than normal, "I was just with him and he's bouncing around pretty good. Shockingly for a high-ankle sprain he was bouncing around today. He's had the sprain before in the same ankle and a lot of times those guys respond differently the second time around, which the trainers have always said that and he is doing just that. So we'll see what that means, I can't tell you how far he can go, but they're really surprised that he's doing as well as he is."
- Linebacker Brock Coyle has a sprained foot, but Carroll said "he's talking like he's going to be fine and he's moving around a little bit already today, so we'll see. He should have a good chance to play."
- After missing the win against Philadelphia with a hamstring injury, linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis is expected to be available at Tampa Bay. "He's back, yeah," Carroll said. "He will be back."
- Linebacker Mike Morgan will be eligible to return from the team's injured reserve list next week. Carroll said: "Mike will be ready to go next week. He really could play this week. He's ready. He could've played last week, so he's in great shape. We'll just have to wait it out."
Team photographer Rod Mar shares exclusive photos from the Seattle Seahawks' 26-15 Week 11 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at CenturyLink Field.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson takes his early pregame throws more than two hours before kickoff at CenturyLink Field.
Legion of Boom members Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman lead the defensive backs past a 12 flag signed by fans as they make their way out of the locker room for pregame warmups.
Head coach Pete Carroll hugs running back Thomas Rawls during pregame stretching. Rawls was playing for the first time after recovering from a fibula injury in Week 2.
Lifelong 12 Macklemore was on the sidelines for pregame, showing off his Pete Carroll Nike Air Monarchs with the help of Seahawks mascot Blitz.
In the locker room before kickoff, tight end Jimmy Graham reviews his notes.
Running back Thomas Rawls waits to run onto the field during pregame introductions.
Defensive end Frank Clark pauses for the video camera before emerging from the fog of the pregame tunnel during pregame introductions.
Seahawks safety Earl Thomas falls to his knees as he is introduced to the biggest regular season crowd in team history.
Military members carry the American flag during pregame ceremonies prior to kickoff against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles.
Rookie running back C.J. Prosise has his eyes on the end zone as he breaks around the right side on his way to a 72-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
C.J. Prosise breaks into open field and has nothing but turf between him and the end zone on his 72-yard TD run in the first quarter.
Seahawks center Justin Britt hugs running back C.J. Prosise after a 72-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
Seattle's defense including Jarran Reed, K.J. Wright, Brock Coyle and Kam Chancellor gang up on Philadelphia's Ryan Matthews.
Seattle's Bobby Wagner sacks Philadelphia's Carson Went on a first half blitz.
Seahawks fans brought their A-game for the contest against the Eagles.
Seattle's offensive line including Germaine Ifedi, Justin Britt and Mark Glowinski block for running back Thomas Rawls.
Seattle's Jimmy Graham looks for the end zone after catching a pass from scrambling quarterback Russell Wilson in the second quarter.
Jimmy Graham leaps high to spike the ball after scoring on a 35-yard touchdown reception from Russell Wilson in the second quarter, giving the Seahawks a 13-7 lead.
Seahawks newcomer John Jenkins (92) combines with linebacker Bobby Wagner to stop Philadelphia's Wendell Smallwood for a loss.
The Seahawks welcomed back tight end Luke Willson, playing for the first time after a knee injury suffered against Atlanta.
Seahawks safeties Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor celebrate Chancellor's first half interception of a Carson Wentz pass.
At halftime, linemen Mark Glowinski and George Fant talked things over.
On the other side of the locker room, defensive backs Richard Sherman, Jeremy Lane, Kam Chancellor, Steven Terrell, Earl Thomas and Neiko Thorpe listened to coordinator Kris Richard.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson continued to show improved mobility, escaping pressure in the third quarter.
Seahawks fans in the north end zone roared on a third down for the Eagles.
Quarterback Russell Wilson consults with offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and head coach Pete Carroll during a time out.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson catches a pass from receiver Doug Baldwin on a trick play in the third quarter.
Russell Wilson reaches the ball into the end zone for a rare receiving touchdown by the quarterback, who caught a pass thrown by receiver Doug Baldwin.
Seahawks Frank Clark and K.J. Wright slam down Philadelphia's Kenjon Barner as the defense held the Eagles to only seven points until the final minutes of the game.
Eagles quarterback Carson Went loses the ball as he is hit by Seattle's Cliff Avril.
Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril celebrates after causing a fumble by Eagle's quarterback Carson Went.
Seattle's Tyler Lockett looks for running room on a punt return in the third quarter.
Seahawks special teamer George Farmer leaps with Seahawks mascot Blitz after running downfield on a kickoff.
Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham puts a big block on Eagles cornerback Jalen Mills, allowing receiver Doug Baldwin to gain more yards on a fourth quarter play.
Doug Baldwin looks for more yardage along the right side on a 17-yard gain in the fourth quarter after a block by teammate Jimmy Graham left two Eagles defenders in his wake.
After injuries to C.J. Prosise and Troymaine Pope depleted the Seahawks running back corps, backup quarterback Trevone Boykin entered the game for a series at running back.
After the game, quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Carson Went greeted each other at midfield.
Seahawks Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett joked with former Super Bowl teammate and current Eagles player Chris Maragos after the game.
