SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 21: Alex Collins #41 of the Seattle Seahawks avoids a tackle by Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals during the third quarter at Lumen Field on November 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)Photo: Getty Images
SEATTLE -- Running back Alex Collins and defensive end Kerry Hyder Jr. are inactive for Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears despite clearing COVID-19 protocols earlier this week.
Collins was activated on Wednesday and Hyder on Saturday as they had tested negative at least twice to be cleared to return to the roster. However, it appears as though the team believed neither player was sufficiently ready enough to return to the lineup so quickly. Both players missed Tuesday night's game against the Los Angeles Rams after going on the list last week.
Rashaad Penny, DeeJay Dallas and Travis Homer will handle the running back workload for Seattle as neither Josh Johnson or Adrian Peterson were elevated from the practice squad for the game.
Quarterback Jacob Eason, center Dakoda Shepley and linebacker Jon Rhattigan are the additional inactive players for Seattle.
Cornerback Bless Austin was placed on the COVID-19 list on Saturday, which leaves the cornerback position rather thin. Austin was questionable to play anyway against Chicago due to a hip pointer injury that kept him out of practice most of the week. With D.J. Reed also on the COVID-19 list, Sidney Jones and John Reid are expected to start at cornerback with only Ugo Amadi and Nigel Warrior as depth at the position. Safety Ryan Neal can play cornerback as well, but he's currently the team's starting strong safety in place of an injured Jamal Adams.
Austin, Reed, tight end Will Dissly, tackle Brandon Shell, and defensive tackle Bryan Mone are the remaining active roster players on the COVID-19 list. Practice squad cornerback Mike Jackson and tight end Ryan Izzo are also in the protocols.
Seattle elevated defensive tackle Myles Adams, safety Josh Jones, tight end Tyler Mabry, linebacker Edmond Robinson and receiver Cody Thompson from the practice squad to fill in their depth for the game.
Linebackers coach John Glenn and defensive passing game coordinator Andre Curtis were both cleared to return from the COVID-19 list as well.
The Bears are starting Nick Foles at quarterback as Justin Fields and Andy Dalton are both inactive due to injuries. Fields is sidelined due to an ankle injury while Dalton is down with both a groin injury and left hand injury. Foles has yet to play for the Bears this season after starting nine games for the team last year.
Wide receiver Jakeem Grant Sr. (concussion), cornerback Xavier Crawford (concussion) and tackle Jason Peters (ankle) are the other injured scratches for Chicago. Backup lineman Lachavious Simmons is the one healthy scratch for the Bears.
Photo Credit: SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 21: Alex Collins #41 of the Seattle Seahawks avoids a tackle by Chandler Jones #55 of the Arizona Cardinals during the third quarter at Lumen Field on November 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)