Will Dissly has been a big part of Seattle's offense since joining the team in 2018, but the Seahawks tight end has also maintained a role on special teams throughout his career despite his status as a starter.
And in Seattle's Week 8 win over the Giants, Dissly didn't just contribute his usual stellar blocking and a pair of catches on offense, he was also a part of two of the game's biggest plays on special teams. As a result, Dissly was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his play in Sunday's 27-13 win.
It's the first time Dissly has earned Player of the Week honors in his five-year career, and he becomes the fourth Seahawk to be named Player of the Week this season, joining Uchenna Nwosu (Week 1), Geno Smith (Week 4) and Tariq Woolen (Week 6).
Dissly's first big contribution on special teams came in the second quarter when he helped turn the momentum back in Seattle's favor with a forced fumble in punt coverage. The Seahawks led the game early thanks to a Geno Smith touchdown pass to DK Metcalf, but the Giants tied the game after scoring on a short field following a turnover. The Seahawks found themselves having to punt right after that Giants score, but any chances New York had of capitalizing on that defensive stop went out the window when Dissly slammed into Giants punt returner Richie James, knocking the ball loose for a fumble that was recovered by rookie Joey Blount. That short field led to a Jason Myers field goal and a 10-7 lead.
In the fourth quarter, with the Seahawks trying to protect a one-score lead, Dickson again came on to punt and launched a 55-yard kick that was fielded by James. After a short return, Travis Homer and Blount converged on James, with Homer knocking the ball free. Dissly pounced on the loose ball, giving the Seahawks possession at the New York 32-yard line.
Two plays later, Kenneth Walker III scampered into the end zone for a 16-yard score that gave the Seahawks a two-score lead to help seal the win.
While Dissly plays on special teams every week, he found himself playing a bigger role on Sunday with linebacker and special teams captain Nick Bellore sidelined by a concussion, and Dissly was up to the task.
"Bellore went down, so I had to step in and play that role," Dissly said after the game. "I'm a guy that wears a lot of hats, and special teams is one of them. I had to help this team win, so I'm happy to get the rookie a fumble recovery, Joey Blount. I was excited—give him a shout out. It's fun."
