Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said on Friday that rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon, who was listed as questionable with a hamstring injury, had a chance to play, but also added "we've got to do long-term thinking and make sure we take care of our guys the best we possibly can."
And sure enough, the Seahawks will not rush the first-round pick back, with Witherspoon inactive for Sunday's season opener against the Rams.
"He did a nice job getting through it," Carroll said Friday of Witherspoon returning to practice this week. "He worked and competed, got a lot of turns, but measured the whole time. He could possibly play, so we've got him as questionable and we'll see what happens. We've got to do long-term thinking and make sure we're taking care of our guys the best we possibly can, so we'll see what we do with that."
Starting left guard Damien Lewis, who was also listed as questionable, is active. Also sidelined for Seattle due to injury are safety Jamal Adams, who is still making his way back from last year's season-ending quadriceps tendon injury. Running back Kenny McIntosh, who was ruled out on Friday's injury report, was placed on injured reserve a day later, meaning he will miss at least four games.
Among those active for Sunday's game are linebacker Jon Rhattigan and cornerback Artie Burns, who were elevated off the practice squad on Saturday.
The Rams will be without three players due to injury, including their top receiver, Cooper Kupp, who was placed on injured reserve Saturday after being ruled out with a hamstring injury. Tight end Hunter Long (thigh) also went on injured reserve Saturday, while backup quarterback Stetson Bennett is inactive with a shoulder injury.
Here are the inactives for both teams:
Seattle Seahawks
CB Devon Witherspoon
CB Kyu Blu Kelly
S Jamal Adams
G Anthony Bradford
G Ben Brown
LB Tyreke Smith
Los Angeles Rams
QB Stetson Bennett
RB Zach Evans
OL Kevin Dotson
OL Warren McClendon
DE Desjuan Johnson
The Seahawks arrive at Lumen Field ahead of their Week 1 matchup vs. the Los Angeles Rams on September 10, 2023. Presented by Head and Shoulders.
Seahawks safety Jerrick Reed II (32) arrives at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (70) arrives at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Seahawks long snapper Chris Stoll (41) arrives at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Seahawks defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. (97) arrives at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) arrives at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Seahawks guard Phil Haynes (60) arrives at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) arrives at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) arrives at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) arrives at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) arrives at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) arrives at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody Thompson (13) arrives at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Seahawks linebacker Darrell Taylor (52) arrives at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs (6) arrives at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Seahawks cornerback Michael Jackson (30) and John Schneider arrive at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) arrives at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) arrives at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) arrives at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) arrives at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Seahawks linebacker Jon Rhattigan (59) arrives at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Seahawks guard Damien Lewis (68) arrives at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94) arrives at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Seahawks running back DeeJay Dallas (31) arrives at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Shane Waldron arrives at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Seahawks linebacker Tyreke Smith (92) arrives at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
Seahawks defensive end Myles Adams (95) arrives at Lumen Field for the Week 1 matchup vs. the L.A. Rams.
