Season-ending injuries to defensive end Cliff Avril, strong safety Kam Chancellor, and cornerback Richard Sherman have tested the Seahawks' depth in recent weeks, and depending on how a few more key personnel are able to respond throughout this week, that depth could be tested even further when Seattle welcomes the NFC West-leading Los Angeles Rams to CenturyLink Field this Sunday. But as Pete Carroll noted during his Wednesday press conference, the Seahawks are counting on the talent they have to step up if needed.
"We've been under before, many times, so this doesn't seem much different," said Carroll. "We're not taking it any different, our approach isn't any different. Next guy up and away we go. The guys have to rally around those guys as they step in."
Here's more of what the Seattle head coach had to say Wednesday about the team's injury situation:
Bobby Wagner & K.J. Wright
Seattle's pair of Pro Bowl linebackers was hit with injuries this past weekend, as Bobby Wagner left Sunday's loss to the Jaguars with a hamstring injury and K.J. Wright exited shortly thereafter with a concussion.
"K.J.'s in the protocol and that's up to the (doctors)," Carroll said of Wright's Week 15 status before adding, "Bobby's going to go all the way through the week as he has the last couple weeks, so we'll have to wait and see."
On Wagner, Carroll expanded a bit, noting, "He's very upbeat and very positive. He's planning on getting ready. That's what he's doing."
More information on Wagner and Wright's availability for Sunday's game against the Rams should come as the team distributes its daily practice reports, as well as when Carroll meets with the media on Friday, a day the team will also submit its gameday status report to the NFL.
Mike Davis & Dion Jordan
Running back Mike Davis, who left this past weekend's game in Jacksonville with a rib injury, and defensive end Dion Jordan, who's missed the last three games with a neck injury, are both set to practice Wednesday, Carroll said.Â
Nazair Jones
Rookie defensive tackle Nazair Jones, who has been sidelined the past two games with an ankle injury, wasn't ready to practice Wednesday, Carroll said.
"He's still in rehab mode here," said Carroll. "We've got to see if something shifts by the end of the week. He won't go today."
DeShawn Shead
Cornerback DeShawn Shead, who injured his ACL during last season's playoff run, "really survived his first week back" at practice last week, Carroll said.Â
"This week and next week will be his two weeks to really get going," said Carroll. "We're just looking for indications of how far along he's come. He's able to go, he's running fast, he's working hard, but each day of practice is really big for him. So we don't have much time to take, but we'll take all that we can to figure this out."
Chris Carson
After suffering a setback in his return from an early-season leg injury that landed him on injured reserve, Carroll said rookie running back Chris Carson is back to running again this week.
"He's running and doing all the rehab stuff," Carroll said. "I don't know if he would have had a chance to be able to practice this week anyway, but we were entertaining the thought. So that probably goes to next week is how we would think of it. That's how I'm thinking of it, I've got to talk to the trainers about that, but I'm trying to push him along. There was a bit of a setback, but he's back working again, so it wasn't that big of a deal. But still, we were hoping to have none of those in the process."
Team photographer Rod Mar shares exclusive behind-the-scenes images from the Seahawks' 30-24 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on the road in Week 14 at EverBank Field.
The Seahawks departed Seattle upon their Delta charter flight amid a cold, but glorious setting sun as they headed across the country for the road game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Safety Bradley McDougald made himself comfortable for the cross-country flight.
The Seahawks landed in Jacksonville after midnight, and found wet and cold conditions upon deplaning.
A heavy rainstorm pounded the team buses on the trip from the airport to the team hotel.
Saturday found dry but still cool weather, and Cliff Avril was all smiles along with guests he had visiting from his native Haiti.
At walkthru, defensive backs Tedric Thompson, Kam Chancellor and Delano Hill watched from an end zone of the local practice field.
Members of the defense gather during walkthru.
After walkthru, the team made a brief visit to EverBank Field, site of Sunday's game.
On gameday, receiver Tyler Lockett waved to fans while sporting a "half-and-half" jersey with his father's college number on it.
Quarterback Russell Wilson stopped to sign an autograph for a young fan as he boarded the team bus on Sunday afternoon.
At the stadium, quarterback Russell Wilson made his way to from the locker room to the field for his early warmups wearing his custom Bose headphones.
On the field, linebacker Terence Garvin smiled in the sunny, but cool weather.
Receiver Doug Baldwin walks from the field back to the locker room after his early warmups.
Seahawks fans came dressed to the 12s for the game against the Jaguars.
In the locker room, linebacker K.J. Wright used his towel to create a moment of privacy.
Quarterback Russell Wilson leads the team out of the tunnel during pregame introductions.
Receiver Tanner McEvoy gets ready for the start of the game.
Linebacker K.J. Wright stands for attention during the playing of the national anthem.
Seahawks captains Jon Ryan and Russell Wilson watch as head referee Gene Steratore flips the coin during the opening coin toss.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson runs for daylight during the first quarter.
Defensive backs Shaquill Griffina and Earl Thomas bring down Jacksonville's Marqise Lee.
Seahawks returner Tyler Lockett steps out of bounds on a kickoff return up the left side.
Seattle's K.J. Wright (on ground), Bradley McDougald and Shaquill Griffin tackle Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette.
Seattle's K.J. Wright manhandles Jacksonville's Leonard Fournette.
Quarterback Russell Wilson high steps away from Jacksonville's Calais Campbell.
Seahawks fans were plentiful during the game at Jacksonville.
Running back Mike Davis steps away from a Jags defender.
At halftime, members of the defense crowded into a corner of the locker room to hear instruction from their coaches.
Quarterback Russell Wilson heaves a long pass downfield.
Seattle's Sheldon Richardson helps bring down Jacksonville's Leonard Fournette.
Seahawks running back Mike Davis climbs over a pile of players including center Justin Britt in the third quarter.
Seattle's Tyler Lockett reaches up with one hand but can't quite make the grab in the end zone.
Kicker Blair Walsh connects on a 28-yard field goal from the hold of Jon Ryan.
Seattle's Tedric Thompson comes away with the ball after the Seahawks recovered a Jacksonville fumble in the third quarter.
Seattle's Doug Baldwin hauls in a 26-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter to tie the game at 10-10.
This teary-eyed fan was also smiling after Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin gave him the football after Baldwin's third quarter touchdown.
Seattle's Luke Willson looks for running room after the catch.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll reacts on the sidelines.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett broke free to catch a 75-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson as Seattle mounted a furious comeback.
Cornerback Byron Maxwell nearly intercepted this pass in the fourth quarter.
Seattle receiver Paul Richardson and head coach Pete Carroll react after a fourth-down play late in the game.
Linebacker D.J. Alexander tackle's Jacksonville's Leonard Fournette as the Seahawks desperately tried to get the ball back for a last chance to win.
The Seahawks joined hands in prayer in the locker room after the hard-fought game,
