RENTON -- It appears certain the Seahawks will be without at least one of their two Pro Bowl linebackers for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Whether both will miss the game won't be known until 90 minutes before kickoff.
Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright were both unable to practice this week due to injuries sustained last Sunday in Jacksonville. Wagner aggravated a hamstring strain early in the third quarter of the game while Wright was injured absorbing a block from fullback Tommy Bohanon.
Wright being unable to practice makes it almost impossible for him to be cleared in time to play. Players going through league concussion protocol have to clear various hurdles across several days and be cleared by an independent neurologist to play. The window for all of those steps to be completed is dwindling.
Wagner will be a game-time decision for the Seahawks on Sunday.
"He did some good stuff today in rehab, and he’ll run tomorrow and we’ll take it to game time," head coach Pete Carroll said on Friday.
The Seahawks already have three former Pro Bowl defensive starters out for the year in Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor and Cliff Avril. The play of Wagner and Wright have been a big reason why Seattle has been able to keep winning game despite their absences.
Michael Wilhoite, Terence Garvin, D.J. Alexander and P.J. Dawson would be called upon to step up if Wagner and Wright can't play.
The Rams bring the league's No. 2 scoring offense to Seattle on Sunday. Without Wagner and/or Wright available to play, the Seahawks face a tall task in trying to keep their chances alive for another NFC West division title. A victory Sunday would put Seattle into first play. A loss would put them two games behind Los Angeles with just two weeks remaining.
Defensive tackle Nazair Jones will likely miss a third straight game with a sprained ankle as well.
"It’s going to be a miraculous recovery if he makes it from here. I don’t think he is going to make it," Carroll said.
Seattle did get some positive news in that running back Mike Davis is ready to play. He injured his ribs when he got hit with a helmet to his back last week in Jacksonville. He was able to practice throughout the week and will be able to play. Defensive end Dion Jordan is back as well after missing three games with a neck issue.
Carroll said Friday that running back Chris Carson could return to the practice field by the end of next week. He's been out since Week 4 due to a high-ankle sprain that required surgery and a fractured leg.
We’re doing it day-by-day," Carroll said of Carson. "We’re hoping that he’ll get some work at least by late next week. If we put him on quick, maybe he’ll play in two [weeks], so we’ll see what happens. He has to be successful and make i through it and with good fortune, that can happen."
Cornerback DeShawn Shead had another good week of practice as well as he works back from ACL reconstruction. He won't play this week but may have a chance next week against Dallas.
"The tempo during these latter weeks in the season aren’t such that he gets tested every day but he has been working every day and he is out there practicing with us, so he’s going full go," Carroll said. "So we will see. Next week we will make an evaluation of where he is."
Injury Report:
Photo Credit: SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 26: Carlos Hyde #28 of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by Bobby Wagner #54 of the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)