The Seahawks got a pair of starters back from the reserve/COVID-19 list, with left guard Damien Lewis and cornerback Sidney Jones IV both being activated on Thursday, but they will also have their safety depth tested on Sunday, with Ryan Neal being placed on the COVID-19 list.
Neal has started the past four games at strong safety in place of Jamal Adams, who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury, and another option at safety, Gavin Heslop, is also on injured reserve after breaking his leg in last month's win at Houston.
Other than Neal and starting free safety Quandre Diggs, Ugo Amadi is the only other player on the 53-man roster listed as a safety, but he plays free safety and also already has a significant role as Seattle's nickel corner, meaning using him at safety would cause another change to the secondary with someone else taking on the nickel role.
One option could be Josh Jones, who is on the practice squad but has been elevated as a COVID-19 replacement for each of the past three games. Jones, a fifth-year veteran, has started 25 games in his career, including 13 at strong safety for the Jaguars last season. The Seahawks could also turn to Nigel Warrior, who is listed as a cornerback on the roster, but who played safety in college at Tennessee.
The Seahawks currently have three players from the 53-man roster on the COVID-19 list—Neal, defensive tackle Al Woods and defensive end Alton Robinson.
Photos from Seahawks practice on Wednesday, January 5 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton.
Seahawks players practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on January 5, 2021.
Seahawks players practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on January 5, 2021.
Seahawks players practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on January 5, 2021.
Seahawks players practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on January 5, 2021.
Seahawks players practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on January 5, 2021.
Seahawks players practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on January 5, 2021.
Seahawks players practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on January 5, 2021.
Seahawks players practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on January 5, 2021.
Seahawks players practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on January 5, 2021.
Seahawks players practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on January 5, 2021.
Seahawks players practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on January 5, 2021.
Seahawks players practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on January 5, 2021.
Seahawks players practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on January 5, 2021.
Seahawks players practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on January 5, 2021.
Seahawks players practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on January 5, 2021.
Seahawks players practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on January 5, 2021.
