The Seahawks will again be without linebacker K.J. Wright when they face the Oakland Raiders in London on Sunday, head coach Pete Carroll said.
Wright, who had arthroscopic knee surgery in August, has yet to play this season, but Carroll said the Pro-Bowl weakside linebacker is "running hard this week. He'll run all throughout the week."
While Wright is running hard, Carroll said they didn't want to rush him back, particularly not with a bye coming up after the trip to London.
"It's going to be too much to ask of him to get him back for this game," Carroll said. "We've got to make sure we take care of him and get him strong and confident and all that. With the break coming up, why would we go early now? I think we just need to maximize his opportunity at full strength, really recovered and confident and all that. So I think that's the best way to do it."
Carroll did not specify what the Seahawks will do this week with Wright out, but against the Rams they changed things up from what they had done earlier in the season with Wright out, increasing strongside linebacker Barkevious Mingo's role. In the season opener, the Seahawks used Shaquem Griffin and Austin Calitro at weakside linebacker, then they signed Mychal Kendricks, who played the next three games at that spot. With Kendricks suspended, the Seahawks didn't go back to Calitro or Griffin, but rather they played nickel almost the entire game, keeping Mingo, usually the starting strongside linebacker in base defense, on as the second linebacker along with Bobby Wagner. Up until Week 5, Mingo would come off when the Seahawks were in nickel and Wagner and whoever was playing weakside linebacker stayed on the field as the two linebackers.
"We wanted to rush him a lot in the game, get him part of it, and keep his size and speed out there too," Carroll said of Mingo. "It was a good week for him, he learned a lot of football. He hadn't played the Will 'backer spot in nickel, and we wanted him to be part of that this past week, so in doing so he had to pick up a lot of other stuff. He's just going to be a better asset for us. He hadn't played as much as he did in that game, and he has been a core special teams guy as well. Nobody is playing more football than he is now, so we're really pleased with what he brings every week."
In other injury news, Carroll said rookie defensive end Rasheem Green "is still a couple weeks away." Green has missed the past two games with an ankle injury. During his Monday interview on 710 ESPN Seattle, Carroll said the Seahawks came out of the game without any significant new injuries.
Carroll also provided an update on running back J.D. McKissic, who remains on injured reserve, but who could be a candidate to return after eight games.
"He's doing really well," Carroll said. "He's running and working out and doing everything. So these next couple of weeks are really big for him."
And a reminder that while the Seahawks are practicing Tuesday to get a head start on their week prior to traveling to London Wednesday night, they do not have to put out a practice report until Wednesday.
Team photographer Rod Mar shares exclusive images from the Seahawks' Week 5 home game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Tight end Nick Vannett arrives at CenturyLink Field and walks the hallway from the players parking lot to the locker room.
D.J. Fluker and Rashaad Penny arrive at CenturyLink Field for the game against the Rams in Week 5.
Head coach Pete Carroll heads for the locker room with a network television camera capturing his arrival.
Seahawks center Justin Britt sports gloves honoring the NFL's Crucial Catch initiative.
Defensive tackle Shamar Stephen is one of the first players on the field for early warmups.
Quarterback Russell Wilson, wearing his Bose headphones, takes his early warmup throws in an empty stadium before fans arrive.
Receiver David Moore makes a practice reception in the south end zone during early warmups, at nearly the identical spot where he would catch a touchdown pass hours later in the game.
Nick Vannett signs autographs for fans near the Seahawks tunnel.
Cornerback Shaquill Griffin warms up.
Seahawks legends Seneca Wallace and Walter Jones pose for a photo before the game. Jones, now a photographer, photographed the game from the sidelines.
Tight end Marcus Lucas is all smiles as he exits the locker room for early warmups.
Back in the locker room, receiver Brandon Marshall reviews notes at his locker.
Defensive captain Bobby Wagner talks to the team before they left the locker room for kickoff.
Offensive guard J.R. Sweezy gets ready to run out of the tunnel during pregame introductions.
Seahawks mascot "Blitz" leads the Seahawks out of the tunnel during pregame introductions.
Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin spreads his wings and "flies" onto the field as his name is called during pregame introductions.
Defensive tackle Jarran Reed poses in the laser-lit tunnel during pregame introductions.
Seahawks defensive backs Akeem King and Tedric Thompson sit on the bench before kickoff.
Seahawks helmets sported stickers honoring the NFL's "Crucial Catch" initiative during the game.
Seahawks captains head to midfield for the opening coin toss.
Head referee Clete Blakeman flips the coin as captains for both teams watch.
Seattle's defense came up with a red zone turnover early in the game as Frank Clark intercepts this tipped pass, thwarting a Rams drive.
Seattle's Frank Clark returns an interception in the first quarter for 26 yards.
Seattle's Chris Carson barrels his way for 16 yards on this first quarter carry.
Seattle's Mike Davis races to the right side for a nine-yard gain.
Seattle's Russell Wilson sends a shovel pass towards tight end Nick Vannett that resulted in a first down.
Seattle's Mike Davis celebrates in the end zone after scoring from six yards out to give the Seahawks a 7-0 lead.
Seattle's Justin Coleman tackles Rams running back Todd Gurley.
Seahawks tight end Nick Vannett heads downfield for a 32-yard gain after catching a shovel pass from quarterback Russell Wilson.
The Sea Gals were dressed for the light drizzle that fell for most of the game.
Seattle's Tyler Lockett hauls in a 39-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson in the second quarter.
Seattle's Tyler Lockett celebrates with teammate Duane Brown after Lockett's second quarter touchdown gave the Seahawks a 14-10 lead.
Seattle's David Moore stiff-arms L.A.'s Ramik Wilson in the second quarter.
Seattle's Sebastian Janikowski connects on a 52-yard field goal in the second quarter to tie the game at 17-17.
Seattle's Barkevious Mingo and Bobby Wagner combine to stop the Rams' Cooper Kupp.
Seattle's Tedric Thompson intercepts the Rams' last minute hail mary attempt at the end of the first half.
The halftime show featured men and women on the field celebrating those close to them affected by the cancer as part of the NFL's Crucial Catch initiative.
Mike Davis heads up the sideline accompanied by Russel Wilson who looks to make a block.
Seattle's David Moore catches a touchdown pass as Seahawks linemen Germain Ifedi, Justin Britt, J.R. Sweezy and D.J. Fluker celebrate in the background.
The Seahawks celebrate after Moore's touchdown is upheld upon an official review.
The 12s were loud and boisterous all afternoon at Century Link Field.
Seattle's Tedric Thompson stops the Rams' Josh Reynolds in the third quarter.
Seahawks running back Chris Carson takes off on a 21-yard gain in the third quarter. Carson rushed for 116 yards in the game.
Offensive line coach Mike Solari gives instructions during the second half.
Seattle's David Moore finds himself open near the end zone and hauls in a 30-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson.
Seattle's Shaquem Griffin dives at Los Angeles returner Blake Countess.
Injured Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright shouts instructions from the sidelines.
Seattle's Barkevious Mingo tackles Rams tight end Gerald Everett.
Seattle's Tyler Lockett gets grabbed by the face mask after coming down with a 44-yard reception as the Seahawks tried to get into scoring position late in the game.
After the tough 32-30 loss to the Rams, head coach Pete Carroll addressed the team in the locker room.
