When Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen left Sunday's game to be checked out by athletic trainers, rookie fifth-round pick Nehemiah Pritchett checked in for him and played. Woolen made his way back to the game but eventually left the game with an ankle injury and Pritchett made the most of his time in the game – coming up with a huge third-down pass breakup in the fourth quarter.
Pritchett said he was able to make the play because "It's something that they were doing the whole game. Breaking routes from the field and as he released, I just felt it. He hesitated a little bit and I was able to get back inside of him."
"He's got to go in there play at a high level," head coach Mike Macdonald said on Pritchett. "He's been practicing well enough to be up and be the next guy in the game. There's going to be a competition there based on what happens with Riq and how we align guys. But it was good to see him respond (and) make plays in the second half."
And though the game ended in a loss, Pritchett saying, "Any loss hurts, and basically the way it happened, you just have to play better and get ready for situational football," he was got some valuable reps that were good for his young career.
The third-down pass breakup was the biggest play the rookie made on Sunday but made plays while in coverage on Giants receiver Darius Slayton, like his coverage on an overthrown pass to the end zone on third down in the third quarter to force a field goal.
And Macdonald has talked about the next man up mentality multiple times this season and has said that there is no drop off in talent in the team's depth – and Pritchett was able to show that.
The biggest challenge for Pritchett filling in for Woolen was, "Just continuing to not let the standard drop," he said "Continue to build off of what he can [do]. Just be ready to play when it's my chance."
Seahawks safety Julian Love acknowledged how difficult, especially that late in the game, to take over for someone is. "I think he came in, that's tough," Love said. "Coming in, probably not warm. He came in and played some good ball, I thought. It was a great experience for him, I'm a fan of his game, and just seeing the rookie get out there in that situation, it's tough. But, he handled it well, I thought."
But while stepping in for Woolen, Pritchett said, "My confidence definitely grew. Just getting comfortable in the game and seeing what they were attacking and being able to get the stop [on third down] was very good. It was a blessing."
Must-see shots of the Seahawks at their Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) and Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) and Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson (0) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
≈Seahawks players at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (1) and Seahawks cornerback Dee Williams (33) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Trevis Gipson (50) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks tight end Brady Russell (38) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) and Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) and Seahawks guard Laken Tomlinson (70) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (1) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
Seahawks players at the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants at Lumen Field on Sunday, October 6, 2024.
