NASHVILLE—Following a pair of competitive practices between the Seahawks and Titans, those two teams will face off on Saturday for a preseason game that is expected to be a test of the two teams' depth.
Head coaches Mike Macdonald and Brian Callahan both said this week that most of their starters will not play after getting good work against each other in practice Wednesday and Thursday, but there's still plenty at stake for those who will take the field. With that in mind, here are five things to watch when the Seahawks face the Titans at Nissan Stadium Saturday night.
1. Will the Seahawks' defensive depth shine once again?
Seattle's starting defense played briefly in last week's preseason opener, forcing two quick three-and-outs before taking the rest of the night off. And while those players handled their business, what really stood out about the defensive performance was the way that unit was able to sustain a high level of play no matter who was in the lineup.
Throughout that game, the Seahawks held the Chargers offense in check, allowing just three points and nine first downs, an encouraging sign about the team's defensive depth. In practice this week against the Titans, Macdonald saw both plenty to like out of his defense and things to work on, and with the starters not expected to play, this will be a great chance for young players fighting for roster spots or playing time to show what they can do.
"We watched yesterday's tape and there's a lot of good things on tape, but there's a lot of things that are room for improvement on really both sides of the ball," Macdonald said after Thursday's practice. "But we had a good meeting yesterday, guys came out focused, so it felt like we addressed most of those things. But again, look, can't really tell [without watching the tape], but we were making plays on the football, which was really nice. Seemed like we were on top of things in the red zone, which things move faster, especially against the new offense, new schemes, things you haven't seen. So that was encouraging."
2. Does Christian Haynes or Anthony Bradford help himself in the competition at right guard?
One of the more interesting developments in Thursday's practice was the presence of rookie guard Christian Haynes in the first-team starting line. Macdonald has said all along that Haynes would compete with Anthony Bradford for the starting spot at right guard, but for most of camp, it has been Bradford, who started 10 games as a rookie, working with the starting offense.
"Like I always said from the beginning, it's a competition," Macdonald said. "I wanted to see what Christian could do with the ones."
And yes, Macdonald did say starters aren't going to play, but that very well could mean players locked into starting jobs, not a couple of young guards who are competing for one. And even if the Seahawks chose to rest Bradford or Haynes, the other would likely see a lot of playing time given that there are only so many linemen available if starters aren't suiting up. So presuming one or both play, Saturday's game will be a great opportunity to help his cause.
3. Can Sam Howell build off his strong showing last week?
Making his preseason debut with the Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell started and played into the second half, and the third-year quarterback showed off a lot of the traits that helped him win the starting job in Washington last year, and that made the Seahawks want to acquire him in an offseason trade to back up Geno Smith.
Howell's line—16 for 27, 130 yards and a touchdown—doesn't jump off the stat sheet, but he led a couple of long drives, one of which ended on the 1-yard line with the Seahawks failing to convert on fourth-and-goal, made a few impressive throws, and used his legs to avoid pressure and move the sticks with at third-down scramble. It wasn't a dominant performance, but it was a good start to build off of for Howell, on he'll hope to add to Saturday night when he presumably gets the start with Smith not expected to play.
"I thought Sam played really well," Macdonald said after last week's game. "Moving the offense, not all the starters played. I think we had a couple of the interior o-line guys in there. Great to see him come back out in the second half and move all the way down the field and then we want to close that drive out but, I thought we operated well, made some great decisions, slung it around. Sure, there were some plays that we'd want back and that's good. It's never going to be a perfect performance, but I'm definitely pleased."
4. How is rookie linebacker Tyrice Knight progressing?
When healthy, Jerome Baker has been Seattle's starting weakside linebacker playing alongside middle linebacker Tyrel Dodson, but with Baker sidelined of late by an injury, rookie Tyrice Knight has gotten a long look with the No. 1 defense. Seattle's defense under Macdonald asks a lot of its linebackers, so Knight has a lot to learn, making these practices and game reps vital to his growth. When Baker is back he will presumably go back into the starting lineup, but Macdonald and the Seahawks will want Knight ready to go knowing there's a good chance he'll be called upon at some point this season.
"We're throwing a lot at him, on purpose," Macdonald said Wednesday. "But just keep on coming along man, keep finding new stuff to screw up, and you'll keep growing."
Earlier in the week before heading to Tennessee, Macdonald said of Knight, "He's a rookie. He's doing the things, he's making the plays that he needs to make right now to compete, but he needs to keep chasing it. There needs to be a sense of urgency there on his mentality and he's doing that. I told him, it's going to take him three years. You haven't made it yet buddy, you've played one preseason game, you've got a ways to go. He'll get there. We're excited about him, but he's got some room to grow."
5. Who helps their cause in the return game?
Yes, this was a thing to watch in the past game, but until the return jobs are settled, this will be a big area of focus in preseason games where the team can evaluate kick and punt return at full game speed.
Receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. had a 44-yard return in last weekend's game and would seem to be a leading candidate for one of the two kick return jobs, but the other kick return spot, as well as punt return appear to be pretty wide open.
So far the Seahawks have used several players in those roles, including Dee Williams, Dee Eskridge, Tre Brown and Easop Winston Jr., and in the case of all of those players aside from Brown, winning a return job could be the difference between making the 53 man roster or not, so the stakes are high.
The Seahawks wrapped up another joint practice with the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, Tenn. on August 15, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and quarterback Geno Smith (7) at practice against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks tight end Brady Russell (38) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks strong safety K'Von Wallace (24) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver Easop Winston Jr. (13) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks linebacker Devin Richardson (43) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks cornerback Willie Roberts (34) and tight end Brady Russell (38) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson (0) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks defensive tackle Mario Kendricks (92) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks guard Laken Tomlinson (70) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks linebacker Darrell Taylor (52) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks defensive end Myles Adams (95) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks linebacker Darrell Taylor (52) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks tight end Brady Russell (38) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks tight end Tyler Mabry (85) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (81) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver Hayden Hatten (84) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver Hayden Hatten (84) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks cornerback Michael Jackson (30) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (81) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks tackle Raiqwon O'Neal (79) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks guard Laken Tomlinson (70) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks guard Christian Haynes (64) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (51) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks def Byron Murphy II (91) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks def Byron Murphy II (91) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks running back Kairee Robinson (35) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson (0) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
Seahawks tackle Jalen Sundell (61) practiced against the Tennessee Titans on August 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tenn.
