RENTON -- The Seahawks will be without their starting left cornerback for Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers. Their top three running backs didn't practice at all during the week. Three more defensive backs have their status for the game in question as well.
The status of Seattle's roster ahead of Sunday's contest is very much up in the air. So Pete Carroll will help sort through all of the issues they're currently facing.
Rookie DeeJay Dallas was the only running back able to practice normally with the team this week. Chris Carson (foot), Carlos Hyde (hamstring) and Travis Homer (knee) were all held out from practice. Hyde is doubtful to play due to him pulled hamstring, but Carson and Homer are questionable. Hyde and Carson did not practice while Homer returned to limited participation on Friday.
"We're going all the way to game time on all three guys and just see what happens then," Carroll said after Friday's practice. "We did not practice them this week and that was just to give them every single day to have a chance to get back. So we'll see them on the field on Sunday."
Seattle has no reserves to turn to as they have not had any running backs on their practice squad. And with the current COVID-19 procedures, there wasn't enough time to bring a player into the team and have him available to play this week. The Seahawks likely have an emergency contingency set out as well should they run out of options against the 49ers.
Left guard Mike Iupati (back) and cornerback Ugo Amadi (hamstring) are doubtful to play against the 49ers as well. Iupati is likely going to miss a third straight game due to his injury with Jordan Simmons getting another start in his place. Amadi's injury makes Seattle that much more depleted at the cornerback spot as starter Shaquill Griffin has been ruled out due to a concussion.
Safety Jamal Adams has a chance to get back this week after returning to practice on Friday. He's missed the team's last three games due to a groin strain and appeared well on his way to missing a fourth this weekend. He did not practice on either Wednesday or Thursday as he also came down with a non-COVID illness that at least initially forced him away from the team.
"He worked today. He got he got some work today so that's a good sign. It's a real good sign," Carroll said before cautioning it's not guarantee it's enough for him to make it back in the lineup.
"There's no time left. We're out of seeing time so we'll just have to figure it out, see if he's okay. You're gonna see some guys we're going right to game time on a number of guys."
Carroll said that D.J. Reed - a cornerback claimed off waivers from the 49ers in August despite a torn pectoral - is ready to come up from the non-football injury list and could play this weekend with Seattle's hurting for depth at the position.
"Yes, he is ready to play," Carroll said of Reed. "Yeah, he's an exciting football player. You have great quickness and really good savvy and understanding for the game. That's why when we got him a while back you know we were really excited about him being able to jump in. We thought he could play quickly if we give him the opportunity. So if he gets that opportunity, he's ready to roll."
A promotion from the practice squad could also be expected with the team short-handed at the position. Jayson Stanley and Gavin Heslop would be the most likely candidates.
Defensive tackle Damon "Snacks" Harrison is closing in on his debut with the team. Carroll didn't say it would be this week but has said he's made progress in getting into shape since joining the team two weeks ago.
"Without question he had his best week. He's needed the weeks to get going. This was the best he's looked, and was really moving around well so he's working to get himself back in there.
"This week really would make you think that he's ready to come back and play. He's getting there. The first couple of weeks that wasn't the case. He was just getting work back in shape. He's lost some weight. He looks a lot better moving around. He's on his stuff, he knows what he's doing. He's in it. So I'm really fired up that he's competing to get on the field right now."
Defensive end Benson Mayowa is also questionable due to an ankle injury.
"He had an ankle that was sore coming out of the game and so we just had to take it real easy on him this week," Carroll said.
The Seahawks currently have two roster openings on their 53-man roster. Reed coming off the non-football injury list would fill one of those spots. They can make two elevations from the practice squad as well without counting against that limit. So, in theory, Stanley and Harrison could be elevated with one open spot still remaining on the roster.
Given Seattle's addition of Carlos Dunlap in trade this week, they may elect to go through the weekend without adding a second player in order to save some money and cap space as they absorb Dunlap's contract.
Photo Credit: SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 27: Chris Carson #32 of the Seattle Seahawks runs with the ball against Brandon Carr #39 of the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter in the game at CenturyLink Field on September 27, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)