The Seahawks are back to work this week following a Week 11 bye, and they'll resume practice Wednesday to prepare for their upcoming game at Philadelphia. Before we turn our attention to that game, it's time once again to answer questions from you, the fans. As always, thanks to everyone who asked a question this week, and apologies if I couldn't get to yours this time around. And remember, you can now submit mailbag questions both via twitter (@johnpboyle) and online at Seahawks.com/SeahawksMailbag.
@PJMATT221 asks, "What's Tyler Lockett's status for the week? How is he progressing with the leg injury?"
A: First off, that's a solid twitter avatar, so good work on that, Matt. Secondly, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Lockett is getting better and that they're hoping he is available for Sunday's game in Philadelphia, but they won't know that for sure until Lockett goes through the week of practice.
"He's doing better," Carroll said Monday. "We'll know later in the week his status. We're hoping and planning on him being able to play, but yeah, he's got to show it to us. So, we'll see."
Lockett's leg contusion required him to stay behind for two nights at Stanford hospital, but Carroll said, "he's just on the road back. We're optimistic about it, but he's still going to have to do it. The extra days absolutely are helping us here, so we'll take full advantage of that."
Mike Dainty from Seattle asks, "If the Seahawks put Ed Dickson on the active roster, would the best option be to place Luke Willson on injured reserve?"
A: Unless Willson's hamstring injury is something really severe that will cost him most or all of the rest of the season, I don't think the Seahawks would go that route if Dickson is indeed activated from injured reserve by Wednesday's deadline, as Seahawks coach Pete Carroll implied was likely to happen. The Seahawks have only had two tight ends on their roster since Will Dissly went on injured reserve, a lower-than-usual number, so carrying an injured Willson for a couple of weeks or however long he might be out is probably worth it in order to have him down the stretch.
@Gabriiielsm asks, "Before Quandre Diggs' arrival, Marquise Blair was playing very well. Do you see any chance Blair, Diggs and Bradley McDougald can get on the field at the same time?"
A: You're right that Blair had done enough to impress his coaches, but Diggs' return to health did push Blair out of the starting lineup, and it seems pretty unlikely things change soon seeing as Carroll said "the safety play was the best we’ve seen it this year" after seeing Diggs and McDougald start together against the 49ers.
So where does that leave Blair? Well for starters, depth is always important, so he's a heck of an option as a backup to either Diggs or McDougald. But there may also be ways to get all three on the field at times, especially considering the versatility of all three players. Diggs was a nickel corner before he switched to safety with the Lions, McDougald has started a lot of games at both safety spots, and despite limited experience, Blair too has started at both safety spots. And seeing as the Seahawks found ways to use McDougald as a third safety along with Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas in 2017, a similar "big nickel" package could be an option down the road if they feel like that gives them the best matchups. Carroll did point out that Blair was part of the Seahawks' dime package in preparation for the 49ers game, but the Seahawks didn't appear to ever employ that six-defensive back look in the game. That could, however, be another way to get Blair on the field in the near future.
Steve Scordino from Anchorage, Alaska asks, "How did Shaquem Griffin do as a defensive end?" @NibblesDBun also asks about Griffin's role as a pass-rusher.
A: Griffin saw his first defensive playing time of the season in Seattle's Week 10 win over the 49ers, playing 13 snaps as a pass-rusher. And while he didn't record any stats, he showed enough, both in the game and in practice, that the Seahawks want to continue to pursue the role to see if the second-year linebacker can utilize his speed to help the pass rush.
"He's active," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. "We're going to find ways to utilize him. It's really clear, more than it has been, that we might be able to build a role that could be a factor We have to work at that more so just to use his speed. He's instinctively a good rusher. He's just not very big. You have to do special things with him. We'll put that together and see if we can make that a good complement to what we're doing."
Craig McIntosh from White Rock, British Columbia asks, "Have the Seahawks ever been 5-0 on the road before?"
A: No, this is a first for the Seahawks, who previously went 4-0 on the road to open a season only once, doing so in 1980. And not only are the Seahawks 5-0 on the road for the first time, they need only one more road win to match their most in a season, having gone 6-2 on the road in 2013.
Bob Shepard from Hazelton, Idaho asks, "I thought I understood the overtime rules, but after last week's overtime win, I realized I don't. Please explain the rule as it pertains to each team getting a possession?"
A: The league made a change to the overtime rules in 2012 in order to prevent teams from winning the game with a field goal on the first possession of overtime. A few changes have happened since, including shortening the period to 10 minutes, but that 2012 change was the big one because now, with the exception of a touchdown or a safety scored on the opening possession, a team can't win without the opponent getting a chance at having the ball. For example, in Seattle's overtime win over Tampa Bay, the Seahawks won on the opening possession because they drove down the field for a touchdown. Had that drive stalled out and they settled for a field goal, however, Tampa Bay would have gotten the ball with a chance to tie the game or win it. Once both teams have possessed the ball, however, a field goal can win the game, so the 49ers could have won the game with the field goal attempt that missed, because that came after the Seattle possession to open overtime that ended with an interception.
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seattle Seahawks' Week 10 game against the San Francisco 49ers. Eye on the Hawks is presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers.
Newly-acquired Seahawks receiver Josh Gordon heads for the team buses on his first road trip with the team.
A throng of fans waits near the Virginia Mason Athletic Center to see the team off for the trip to the Bay Area to face the San Francisco 49ers.
Seahawks cornerback Neiko Thorpe was stylish as ever on the tarmac as he waited to board the charter flight to the Bay Area.
Seahawks Ziggy Ansah, Branden Jackson and Luke Willson all wore various shades of maroon for the trip to face the 49ers.
Upon landing in San Jose, the team learned that the Seattle Sounders had won the MLS Cup and Jaron Brown, Russell Wilson and Neiko Thorpe honored the soccer team.
On Sunday, the offense held a brief walk-thru in a ballroom of the team's hotel.
The offense gathers at the end of their hotel walk-thru.
Seahawks center Joey Hunt listens as offensive line coach Mike Solari imparts instruction for the night's game.
Seahawks defensive lineman Branden Jackson strolls to the team buses on game day. Behind him is quarterback Geno Smith.
Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney was feeling good as he and Jarran Reed headed to the buses on game day.
Quarterback Russell Wilson signs autographs for fans at the team hotel.
Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin was stylish as he heads for the buses.
Safety Bradley McDougald stretches during the early warmup period at Levi's Stadium.
This 12 was at their first Seahawks game and it turned out to be an unforgettable evening.
The Seahawks gather once on the field for pregame warmups. At right is cornerback Shaquill Griffin.
Assistant coach Andre Curtis gives well-wishes to new safety Quandre Diggs as the players stretched during pregame warmups.
Defensive captain Bobby Wagner stretches during pregame.
Jarran Reed focuses during pregame warmups.
Receiver Josh Gordon gets ready for the game.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll greets former assistant and current 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh before the game.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Flowers takes a moment for himself before heading back to the locker room after pregame warmups.
Seahawks offensive tackle George Fant slaps hands with young fans watching the team head from the locker room to the field.
A military veteran flips the opening coin toss as captains from both teams watch.
Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin knocks away a pass intended for the 49ers Marquise Goodwin in the first half.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner wrestles down 49ers running back Matt Breida.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf is upended after a reception in the first half.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson throws from the pocket as Mike Iupati and Duane Brown provide protection.
Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister heads upfield with a reception in the first quarter.
Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed strips the ball away from 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo as SeattleÕs Poona Ford closes in.
Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney recovers a fumble caused by teammate Jarran Reed and heads for the end zone in the second quarter.
Seattle's Jadeveon Clowney stiff-arms San Francisco's Joe Staley on his way to a fumble recovery and touchdown in the second quarter.
Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney knocks down a pass by 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Seattle's DK Metcalf stiff-arms San FranciscoÕs Dre Greenlaw and heads upfield.
As Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf nears the end zone, he starts to get the ball stripped away, resulting in a fumble.
Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs returns an interception upfield for a 44-yard return in the second quarter.
Seahawks defensive teammates Tre Flowers, Bradley McDougald, Jarran Reed and Branden Jackson celebrate with Quandre Diggs after his first interception with the team.
Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister makes a falling, one-handed grab in the end zone for a touchdown in the third quarter.
Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister celebrates his third quarter touchdown.
Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney pressures 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in the second half.
Seahawks Branden Jackson and Poona Ford celebrate after Ford recovered a fumble caused by teammate Jadeveon Clowney.
Seahawks fans were loud and raucous supporting their team on the road at Levi's Stadium.
Seahawks defensive tackle Al Woods sacks the 49ers Jimmy Garoppolo in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson steps up as George Fant and Germain Ifedi provide a running lane.
Wide receiver Josh Gordon makes his first catch as a Seahawk, catching a pass on third down for a key first down conversion late in regulation.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers reacts after making a 46-yard field goal to give Seattle the lead with less than two minutes left in regulation.
Seahawks backup quarterback Geno Smith and 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman meet at midfield for the coin toss to determine possession in overtime. Smith called ÒheadsÓ and won the toss.
SeattleÕs Josh Gordon makes another key third down catch and a 14-yard gain, this time with 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman in coverage.
Seahawks receiver Malik Turner cuts back with a 28-yard reception in overtime.
Seattle's Russell Wilson throws under pressure to tight end Jacob Hollister in overtime.
Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister watches a pass intended for him is intercepted near the end zone in overtime by 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw.
San Francisco's Chase McLaughlin misses a potential game-winning field goal in overtime, giving Seattle possession.
Seattle's Chris Carson gallops for yardage on the Seahawks' final drive.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers connects on a 40-yard field goal as time expired in overtime to lift Seattle to a 27-24 win over the 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
A jubilant Jason Myers is lifted into the air by joyous teammates Geno Smith and Germain Ifedi after his game-winning field goal in overtime.
After the game, friends and former teammates Richard Sherman and Bobby Wagner playfully roughhoused as the teams shook hands.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman, both former teammates in Seattle, traded signed jerseys after the game.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll is exuberant in the team's locker room after the victory.
