RENTON -- Rookie cornerback Shaquill Griffin gave up his first career touchdown in Sunday night's victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
On a second-and-5 from the Seahawks 18-yard line late in the second quarter, Colts wide receiver Donte Moncrief leaped over Griffin on a fade route in the end zone to give Indianapolis a 15-10 lead before halftime.
Griffin played the pass reasonably well. He was in position and just couldn't get a hand up to deflect the pass in time.
Nevertheless, it was the first time he's allowed a receiver to catch a touchdown against him. While it may seem like a negative moment to some, Griffin is thankful the play happened because he believes it changed something within him.
"I needed that to happen early because I felt like after that play it woke up something different that I needed to come out," Griffin said. "After that play happened, I was pretty much out there saying 'you ain't catching nothing else.' That's the type of person I am. I love to compete. ... I don't like losing. One play is not going to define who I am. If you think you can beat me, you got to beat me more than once.
"I'm glad it happened this game. I remember (Earl Thomas) coming up to me after the game and being like 'they finally got you huh, Shaq?' I said 'yeah, but they woke up something different.' I can't wait until the next game comes."
Griffin has already played starter's reps in essentially two games this season. He had to replace Jeremy Lane in the first quarter of the season opener in Green Bay when Lane was ejected for allegedly throwing a punch. Lane then injured his groin just four plays into Sunday night's game against the Colts, forcing Griffin again into a prominent role.
With Lane's status in doubt for this weekend's game against the Los Angeles Rams, Griffin could make his first official start Sunday.
"II thought he did a great job," head coach Pete Carroll said after the game. "It was unfortunate that they caught the touchdown pass on him, you all saw that he was right on it, and the guy made a better catch, and a great throw. He continues to do a really nice job for us, and that’s a really good sign."
Giving up the touchdown to Moncrief certainly hasn't put a damper on his confidence either. Griffin has 20 tackles through four games and has two passes defended. He knows that with Richard Sherman on the opposite side of the field, he's going to be the cornerback opposing offenses continue to attack.
Griffin wants that burden.
"Oh yeah, I love that," Griffin said. "Sherm is getting tired of him not getting any targets but I said 'sooner or later they're going to stop throwing at both of us.' I said, 'you better get prepared for that because they're going to have to go at both of us because if I get a chance to learn what I'm learning and get better, team are going to be scared of both sides so there will be nowhere to throw.' He said 'OK, I like that.' That's just how I feel. I'm continuing to get better and sooner or later it's going to be two shutdown corners."
Notes:
-- Despite not practicing on Thursday, left tackle Rees Odhiambo is expected to be able to play Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.
Odhiambo spent a night in the hospital after having difficulty catching his breath after taking a hit to the chest against the Colts. Odhiambo was diagnosed with a bruised sternum and released the following day.
"We're trying to take care of him this week and get him ready to go for Sunday," offensive line coach Tom Cable said.
Cable added "it looks like it" when asked if he thought Odhiambo would be able to play.
Odhiambo was a full participant in practice on Wednesday before sitting out practice on Thursday.
-- Wide receiver Doug Baldwin (groin), tight end Jimmy Graham (ankle), cornerback Richard Sherman (groin) and left guard Luke Joeckel (knee) all returned to practice on Thursday after sitting out practice on Wednesday.
-- Defensive end Quinton Jefferson did not practice on Thursday after being limited in practice on Wednesday with a hand injury. Jefferson was signed off the Rams' practice squad, rejoining the team that drafted him last year.
With Cliff Avril already ruled out, the Seahawks can't afford to be down another defensive end on their active roster. If Jefferson can't play, the team may have to make a move to add someone - possibly Branden Jackson - from the practice squad this weekend.
-- Safety Earl Thomas missed a second day of practice due to a knee injury. He missed the first two days of practice last week as well before practicing on Friday and then playing against the Colts.
-- Running back C.J. Prosise did not practice for a second straight day, though he did do some running on a side field during practice. Prosise is trying to return from a sprained ankle sustained against the Tennessee Titans.
Injury Report:
Photo Credit: SEATTLE, WA - OCTOBER 1: Wide receiver Donte Moncrief #10 of the Indianapolis Colts pulls in an 18 yard touchdown against cornerback Shaquill Griffin #26 of the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on October 1, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr /Getty Images)