RENTON -- Defensive end Carlos Dunlap and right tackle Brandon Shell will be game-time decisions for Sunday's game against the Washington Football Team.
Dunlap was able to return to limited participation in practice on Friday after missing last week's game due to a foot injury. However, Shell did not practice all week for the team.
"We held Brandon out again today but Carlos did practice today," head coach Pete Carroll said. "So that was a good sign for him in hopes that he'll be able to pull it off to play on the weekend. We'll see. I can't tell you yet. Won't know until really on game day on both those guys."
While Dunlap is the bigger name, Shell would be the bigger absence this weekend. With an outstanding defensive front for Washington in front of them, being down their starting right tackle could be a very big deal. The team has used four first-round picks on the unit in recent years with Jonathan Allen, Da'Ron Payne, Montez Sweat and this year's No. 2 overall pick Chase Young all producing.
If Shell can't go, the Seahawks will have Cedric Ogbuehi back in the lineup this week. Ogbuehi has missed the last two games due to a calf strain that happened the Friday before the game against the New York Giants.
"I think he's got a tremendous upside," Carroll said of Ogbuehi. "And so this is going to be a great challenge for him to play, if he does, and he's gonna have to play really well and all. But he is really capable. He's got he's got a great future."
Depth will still be an issue though as Jamarco Jones has been ruled out due to a groin injury. Chad Wheeler would serve as Ogbuehi's backup if Shell is unavailable.
Jones, running back Travis Homer and guard Phil Haynes are the three players that have been ruled out for the game. Carroll hinted that they may be involved in roster moves on Saturday.
"All three of those guys are in long-term situations. We're gonna work at figuring out what to do next with those guys," Carroll said.
Homer has missed a month now due to injuries to his wrist and knee.
"He had a wrist where he cracked a bone in his wrist and he also had his knee that's bothered him too so it's been a long haul for him to get back," Carroll said.
With running back Rashaad Penny, cornerback Quinton Dunbar and tight end Greg Olsen all potentially set to return to the roster from injured lists, the trio of Homer, Jones and Haynes could all be headed to injured reserve.
"So we're working on what's going on with those guys. It's a little bit gray area right now. If you could just hang on for a couple days, it'll make more sense," Carroll said.
Penny and Dunbar have practiced through the last two weeks while Olsen returned to the field this week. Penny was more active in practice a week ago as it took Dunbar a bit longer to get up to speed. All three players are eligible to be activated for by Saturday at 1 p.m. and play this weekend if the team chooses to do so.
Carroll would not state their intentions on Friday.
'All those guys practiced this week and made it through the week. So we have some options there. We'll let you know," he said.
Penny has been on the physically unable to perform list all season as he works back from a torn ACL. Dunbar has missed the last five games due to a knee injury that required attention. Olsen has been out for three games due to a ruptured plantar fascia in his left foot.
With Jones, Haynes and Shell all battling injuries, the team is expected to sign veteran guard Alex Boone to the practice squad next week if he passes COVID-19 intake testing. They already signed tackles Wyatt Miller and Andrew Jones to the squad this week as additional depth after promoting Wheeler to the active roster last week.
Boone hasn't played since 2017 with the Arizona Cardinals as he retired after the season. But he's wanted to get back into the game and will get a chance under Mike Solari, who was his offensive line coach with the San Francisco 49ers.
"He's turned around his thinking, wants to play and all that so we're anxious to see what it looks like," Carroll said.
"You saw that we brought in a couple of kids. We're really trying to build some depth there. It's been hard for us with our guys been banged up. It's gonna turn a little bit when those guys get settled in it's gonna help because it's been pretty thin here as we rest guys and prepare guys and help guys recover from one week to the next so we're looking for some help."
Safety Damarious Randall and cornerback Jayson Stanley are also questionable for Sunday's game.
Injury Report:
Photo Credit: GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 12: Ibraheim Campbell #35 of the Green Bay Packers tackles Travis Homer #25 of the Seattle Seahawks during the second half in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lambeau Field on January 12, 2020 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)