Pete Carroll met with the media prior to his team's flight to Los Angeles, and the Seahawks coach provided a number of injury updates, including some bad news for receiver David Moore, encouraging news about defensive end Ziggy Ansah, guard Mike Iupati and tackle George Fant, and updates on a number of other players.
Here's what Carroll had to say about those injuries ahead of Saturday night's game against the Chargers:
WR David Moore
Moore, who has been one of Seattle's top three receivers throughout camp along with Tyler Lockett and Jaron Brown, injured his shoulder in Thursday's practice, and Carroll said the injury will keep him out into the regular season.
"David hurt his shoulder, and he's going to be out for a bit," Carroll said. "We'll let you know more when I know more about it."
Asked if that meant Moore wouldn't be available for the regular-season opener, Carroll reiterated, "He's going to be out a while."
DE Ziggy Ansah
While Ansah remains out of practice, that could change next week, which would be a big step for the former Pro-Bowl pass rusher's chances of being ready for the season opener.
"Yes, I do think he has a chance to practice next week, that's the way we're talking," Carroll said. "He has progressed to the point where we think that's possible. I think it's really important, hopefully we can put that together. If he has to do it in one week's time, we will, but we'd like to get two weeks under his belt. He has been running every day, he's been wearing his stuff and all that, but he needs to get in with the drill work and all that."
Ansah's 2018 season was cut short due to a shoulder injury that required surgery, but Carroll said the shoulder is no longer a concern, but rather that Ansah is working his way back from a groin injury.
"His shoulder's back, he's as strong as he's ever been," Carroll said. "He came flying back in the last three or four weeks in that regard, so he's fine there. It's just a matter of getting the groin to quiet down so it doesn't reoccur."
G Mike Iupati
Iupati, the projected starter at left guard, has missed most of camp with foot and calf injuries, but is on track to return for the opener.
"Mike got in the walkthroughs yesterday, so next week is a real shot for him to get some more work," Carroll said. "He'll certainly make it back for the opener barring any setbacks. It's really good to see him out there just for the continuity. It's just fun to have that guy out there because of his experience and the connection with the starters."
OT George Fant
Fant, who injured his ankle in the preseason opener, is also expected back for Week 1 even if he is held out of next week's preseason game.
"George is chomping at the bit, he's really close," Carroll said. "Next week will be important. We won't push him to play next week unless it's really obvious, but we'd like to see him work next week. It's kind of like Ziggy, we'd like to get those guys on the field for a couple of weeks before they play again. We really think that he's getting back for the opener, we don't have any question about that."
DE L.J. Collier
Collier, Seattle's first-round pick in this year's draft, has been out since early in camp with an ankle injury, but resumed running this week.
"He's on the ground running," Carroll said. "Next week he should be changing direction and all that. It should be a really big week for him next week. I've seen him out here bouncing around pretty good. He looks like he's ready to come back. We've taken really good care of him throughout. We don't want to rush it at this point, because he looks like he's going to return here soon. We'll see if he can race back in the next two weeks."
WR DK Metcalf
Metcalf, who had a minor knee surgery earlier in the week, is still on track for a quick return.
"He had no swelling at all, he's really on track to really make a great recovery," Carroll said. "He reported in incredible shape, so we don't think he's going to lose much in a couple of weeks. He'll be active next week for sure doing a lot of stuff. He's making a great recovery, so we'll keep our fingers crossed that he can make it back quickly."
S Marquise Blair
Blair, who left last week's game with what was thought to be back spasms at the time, actually has a bruised back and did not practice again Friday.
"He's got a bruise," Carroll said. "We thought it was back spasms, but it really was caused by landing on the ground. He's still pretty sore, and he did not practice today."
OT Jamarco Jones
Jones will miss a second straight preseason game due to a hip flexor injury, but is close to returning and should be able to play next week.
"He's really close to playing," Carroll said. "We think it's important to not play him this week so that he can play next week and make sure that he's back. He came back (to practice) and then just didn't quite get over the hump, so we're going to give him an extra game to make sure that he's ready. He's done a lot of good stuff for us, we feel like we have a good evaluation on Jamarco, but he needs the play time. We think by doing this we'll guarantee he'll be ready for Week 1."
LB Shaquem Griffin
Griffin will miss his second straight preseason game due to a knee injury sustained in the opener.
"He's not making back this week," Carroll said. "Not over the hump yet getting back. He's working at it, but we'll see, we'll check him out. He's really a day-to-day guy."
RB Bo Scarbrough
Scarbrough is still working his way back from a groin injury and will miss a second straight game.
"Bo's not quite ready yet," Carroll said. "He won't be able to play this week."
TE Ed Dickson
Dickson remains sidelined while recovering from knee surgery.
"Ed hasn't been able to do too much, he's still a ways away," Carroll said. "The trainers are happy with the progress, but he's not out running around yet and all that."
