The Seahawks are expecting to need a new left tackle this week after starter Bradley Sowell sprained his knee in Sunday's tie at Arizona, but much to the surprise of Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, Sowell isn't ready to give up on the idea of playing this week.
"Sowell looks like he's not hurt," Carroll said. "I don't know what to tell you, I don't know how this happened. We're going to see what happens a day from now, but he looks great. Whatever recovery he's making, he's 1,000 miles ahead of what the schedule could have been. I don't know what that means when he starts to take a workload, but he's barking at us right now. He thinks he can play. I don't know how he's able to do that."
Despite Sowell's remarkable recovery from a sprained MCL, Carroll doesn't think it's realistic for him to play this week when Seattle plays at New Orleans.
"You would never think so," Carroll said. "He shouldn't be able to, but he's trying to talk us into it today. I can't imagine that's going to happen, but we'll see."
Presuming Sowell isn't able to play, the Seahawks have a few different options at left tackle, including undrafted rookie George Fant, who replaced Sowell in Sunday's game. Other options include rookie Rees Odhiambo, who played left tackle at Boise State, but who has played multiple positions in practice for the Seahawks, right tackle Garry Gilliam, and backup tackle J'Marcus Webb, who has played both tackle spots in practice.
"Wait and see, you'll find out," Carroll said. "George is ready to play and Rees is ready to play, and we can use J'Marcus too… We've just got to be through the week and see how it goes. (Gilliam) has been over there too some, so we have flexibility and we have choices."
Carroll said they're "hoping" to get Kam Chancellor back this week after the Pro Bowl safety missed two games with a groin injury: "I hope so. We're optimistic, so he has to make it through the week. We'll see. We don't know yet. We're hoping."
Linebacker Bobby Wagner and cornerback Richard Sherman have both bounced back well after dealing with cramping and hydration issues with the defense playing 95 snaps on Sunday.
"Those guys really have responded well," Carroll said. "They should be fine for the game. No problem."
Linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis "has a chance" to get back this week after missing the Cardinals game with an ankle injury, Carroll said: " He's going to do some stuff tomorrow to run to see how he fits back into it."
Get to know the faces of the New Orleans Saints' offensive and defensive units heading into the team's Week 8 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks.
New Orleans Saints defensive end Paul Kruger (99) on the field before a game against the San Diego Chargers played at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016. (AP Photo/John Cordes)
Defensive tackle Tyeler Davison (95) of the New Orleans Saints watches play against the Atlanta Falcons October 15, 2015 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. The Saints won 31 - 21 during a Thursday Night NFL football game. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
New Orleans Saints nose tackle Nick Fairley (90) watches from the sideline during an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, October 2, 2016. The Saints defeated the Chargers 35-34. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) watches from the sideline during an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, October 2, 2016. The Saints defeated the Chargers 35-34. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
New Orleans Saints Dannell Ellerbe (59) in a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015, in Tampa, Fl.
(Tom DiPace via AP)
New Orleans Saints linebacker Craig Robertson (52) waits for the snap during an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in San Diego, Ca. The Saints won the game, 35-34. (Greg Trott via AP)
New Orleans Saints linebacker Nate Stupar (54) stretches before an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, October 2, 2016. The Saints defeated the Chargers 35-34. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
New Orleans Saints safety Vonn Bell (48) on the field during the third quarter of a game against the San Diego Chargers played at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016. (AP Photo/John Cordes)
New Orleans Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro (32) lines up in the secondary during an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, October 2, 2016. The Saints defeated the Chargers 35-34. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
New Orleans Saints free safety Jairus Byrd (31) looks on during the 2016 NFL week 3 regular season football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, Sept. 26, 2016 in New Orleans. The Falcons won the game 45-32. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
New Orleans Saints defensive back Ken Crawley (46) on the field during the third quarter of a game against the San Diego Chargers played at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016. (AP Photo/John Cordes)
New Orleans Saints cornerback B.W. Webb (28) on the field before a game against the San Diego Chargers played at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016. (AP Photo/John Cordes)
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) on the field during the second quarter of a game against the San Diego Chargers played at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016. (AP Photo/John Cordes)
New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Terron Armstead (72) against the Jacksonville Jaguars in an NFL Game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in New Orleans, La. (Rick Wilson via AP Images)
New Orleans Saints guard Senio Kelemete (65) looks on during the 2016 NFL week 3 regular season football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, Sept. 26, 2016 in New Orleans. The Falcons won the game 45-32. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
New Orleans Saints center Max Unger (60) prepares to snap the football during an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, October 2, 2016. The Saints defeated the Chargers 35-34. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
New Orleans Saints guard Jahri Evans (73) lines up in a three-point stance during an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, October 2, 2016. The Saints defeated the Chargers 35-34. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
New Orleans Saints tackle Zach Strief (64) lined up in a two-point stance during an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, October 2, 2016. The Saints defeated the Chargers 35-34. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
New Orleans Saints tight end Coby Fleener (82) runs to the end zone in front of Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis (58) on a touchdown reception in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) runs with a pass against the Carolina Panthers in a week six NFL football game Oct. 16, 2016 in New Orleans. The Saints won 41 - 28. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) passes in the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
New Orleans Saints fullback John Kuhn reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
New Orleans Saints punter Thomas Morstead (6) looks on from the sidelines while watching the action on the playing field during a Week 13 NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Sunday, November 30, 2014. The Saints defeated the Steelers 35-32. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
New Orleans Saints kicker Will Lutz (3) converts a 52-yard, game-winning field goal on the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers in a week six NFL football game Oct. 16, 2016 in New Orleans. The Saints won 41 - 28. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
New Orleans Saints long snapper Justin Drescher (47) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
