The Seahawks head into Sunday's game against the 49ers with some significant injury-related question marks, including one of their top defensive players and three of their four running backs.
All-Pro safety Jamal Adams, who has missed three games with a groin injury, returned to practice on Friday and will be a game-day decision.
"He worked today," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. "He got some work today so that's a good sign. It's a real good sign… We'll just have to figure it out, see if he's OK. You're going see some guys we're going right to game time on a number of guys."
The hope was that Adams would be able to return to practice earlier in the week, but he came down with an illness on Wednesday, meaning he had to be sent home under the league's COVID-19 protocols. Adams has continued to test negative throughout the week, but that illness still kept him away until Thursday afternoon.
Asked if there was concern about Adams potentially playing after practicing only once following a long layoff, Carroll said, "Yeah, it's a big concern. It's a big concern. That's a lot to ask. He's worked out great in his conditioning work and all that. The fact that he had to miss a couple days here really kind of threw a wrench in the works for a smooth comeback. So we'll have to see what happens at game time."
Ryan Neal, who has started the past three games in place of Adams, is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury but should be good to go, Carroll said.
Three of Seattle's four running backs—Chris Carson, Carlos Hyde and Travis Homer—all came out of last week's game with injuries, and will all be evaluated on game-day, Carroll said. Hyde, who is listed as doubtful, and Carson, who is questionable, did not practice all week, while Homer was able to return to practice on a limited basis on Friday.
"We're going all the way to game time on all three guys and just see what happens then," Carroll said. "We did not practice them this week and that was just to give them every single day to have a chance to get back. So we'll see them on the field on Sunday."
Rookie DeeJay Dallas was the only healthy running back on the roster this week, and regardless of which injured backs are able to play, if any, Dallas figures to have a significant role on Sunday.
"He's had an excellent week," Carroll said. "He's right in the middle of the plan and he's really jacked about the opportunity to carry the load if that would be what happens in this thing. So he had a good week. Later, as the week wore on, I was making sure we were taking care of him. I didn't want to overwork him. He wanted to take every snap and we didn't let him do that. But he's ready to play."
In addition to Hyde, the Seahawks also have listed as doubtful guard Mike Iupati, who has missed two games with a back injury, and nickel defensive back Ugo Amadi, who has a hamstring injury. Carroll said Amadi, who took over the nickel role from an injured Marquise Blair earlier this year, would have to "make a big comeback" to be able to play.
Also questionable is starting defensive end Benson Mayowa, who came out of last weekend with a sore ankle, Carroll said. Mayowa was limited in practice Friday after sitting out the previous two days.
The Seahawks will be without Pro-Bowl cornerback Shaquill Griffin, who is dealing with a hamstring injury in addition to the concussion he sustained in last weekend's game.
With the injuries at defensive back, one possible move for the Seahawks could be activating defensive back D.J. Reed from the non-football injury list. If that were to happen, Reed would be making his Seahawks debut against his former team, as the 49ers waived him this summer with a non-football injury designation due to an injury suffered in an offseason workout.
"He is ready to play," Carroll said. "He's an exciting football player. You have great quickness and really good savvy and understanding for the game. That's why when we got him a while back you know we were really excited about him being able to jump in. We thought he could play quickly if we give him the opportunity. So if he gets that opportunity, he's ready to roll… He's got extraordinary quickness. He really can move in and he's a really bright football player. You know, he's played nickel, corner and safety. He understands them well, and that usually lets you know that the guy's a savvy football player, if he learns easily and all. And he is that. So he anticipates well. He can really fly, and I expect if he gets a chance to play he's going to be very aggressive in his play."
Another player the Seahawks could be adding on defense this week is veteran defensive tackle Damon "Snacks" Harrison. Harrison signed to Seattle's practice squad earlier this month and has been working his way back into playing shape with the hopes that he'll be able to contribute to the defense, and that could happen as soon as Sunday.
"Without question he had his best week," Carroll said. "He's needed the weeks to get going. This was the best he's looked, and was really moving around well so he's working to get himself back in there… This week really would make you think that he's ready to come back and play. He's getting there. The first couple of weeks that wasn't the case. He was just getting worked back in shape. He's lost some weight. He looks a lot better moving around. He's on his stuff, he knows what he's doing. He's in it. So I'm really fired up that he's competing to get on the field right now."
Defensive end Rasheem Green, who has been on injured reserve since leaving the season-opener with a stinger, returned to practice this week and "should be ready to go next week," Carroll said.
Here are the final injury reports for both teams:
Seattle Seahawks
Out
- CB Shaquill Griffin (concussion/hamstring, did not participate)
Doubtful
- RB Carlos Hyde (hamstring, did not participate)
- G Mike Iupati (back, did not participate)
- S Ugo Amadi (hamstring, did not participate)
Questionable
- RB Chris Carson (foot, did not participate)
- RB Travis Homer (knee, limited participation)
- DE Benson Mayowa (ankle, limited participation)
- S Jamal Adams (groin/illness, limited participation)
- S Ryan Neal (hamstring, limited participation)
San Francisco 49ers
Out
- WR Deebo Samuel (hamstring, did not participate)
- RB Jeffery Wilson (ankle, did not participate)
Doubtful
- WR Richie James (ankle, did not participate)
- S Jaquiski Tartt (groin, did not participate)
- LB Kwon Alexander (ankle, limited participation)
Questionable
- S Jimmie Ward (quadriceps, limited participation)
- DL Kentavius Street (illness, did not participate)
