In a recent roster adjustment, the Seattle Seahawks have placed both safety Jamal Adams and wide receiver Dee Eskridge on injured reserve. The team also made the decision to waive outside linebacker Frank Clark Sr., all in preparation for their upcoming Sunday matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
To fill these newly vacated spots on their 53-man roster, the Seahawks have promoted three players from their practice squad. Those players are linebacker Patrick O'Connell, safety Ty Okada and tackle Jake Curhan. In further moves, nose tackle Austin Faoliu and cornerback Kelvin Joseph have been elevated from the practice squad for Sunday's game.
Another significant change involves linebacker Jordyn Brooks, who has been declared out for the game. Brooks had previously exited last week's game due to an ankle injury and was marked as questionable on Friday's injury report.
Jamal Adams, missing the last two games due to a knee injury, had resumed practice but was deemed unfit to play by head coach Pete Carroll. Dee Eskridge has been sidelined for the last four games because of a rib injury. Frank Clark, who previously spent four seasons with the Seahawks and then played for Kansas City, rejoined Seattle to bolster their linebacker depth. He appeared in six games this season, contributing with six tackles.
Seahawks expect Kenneth Walker's return
The Seahawks are anticipating the return of running back Kenneth Walker for their Sunday game against the Steelers. Currently, Walker is officially listed as questionable due to a combination of a shoulder injury and illness. The shoulder issue, which was exacerbated in last Sunday's victory over the Tennessee Titans, remains a point of concern for the team.
Additionally, wide receiver DK Metcalf is also listed as questionable because of a back injury. However, Seahawks coach Carroll has expressed optimism about Metcalf's ability to participate in the upcoming game.
As the regular season nears its end, the Seahawks, with a current record of 8-7, are in a position to secure a wild-card playoff spot. Achieving this will require victories in their final two games against the Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals.
Facing Steelers
The stakes for Seattle and Pittsburgh couldn't be higher with playoff implications on the line. Both teams, holding identical 8-7 records, are in a critical battle for a wild card spot in their respective conferences. This showdown at Lumen Field promises to be a defining moment in their seasons.
Carroll's Seahawks came off consecutive comeback victories against the Eagles and Titans. They face a Steelers team under Mike Tomlin that has recently found its stride, including a convincing victory over the Cincinnati Bengals led by backup quarterback Mason Rudolph. This win rekindled their playoff hopes after a tough stretch of games.
Carroll, who has faced Tomlin in four previous encounters, holds high regard for his counterpart's 16-year tenure in Pittsburgh. He acknowledges the Steelers' resilience and adaptability throughout a season filled with ups and downs. He expects a rigorous challenge from the Steelers, known for their aggressive and tough play style.
"They play tough, they’re aggressive, they don’t settle for just lining up and giving it to you, you just have to beat them," Carroll said on Wednesday. "They’re going to come after you, they’re going to attack you. They’re always challenging with the defensive game plans, big backs run the football, the whole thing."