In his first game back from injured reserve, Seahawks guard Christian Haynes made his season debut under some pretty unusual circumstances.
Serving as a backup option at guard and center, the second-year lineman had not played, other than a pair of special teams snaps, until the final minutes of the game, but when rookie guard Grey Zabel went down with a knee injury on Kenneth Walker III's touchdown run late in the game, Haynes knew he better get ready in a hurry in case the Seahawks got the ball back for a possible winning drive.
Seattle's defense got the stop the team needed, but unfortunately for the Seahawks, Rams punter Ethan Evans hit the punt of a lifetime, landing the ball inside the 5-yard line before it bounced out of bounds at the 1-yard line. That meant the offense would be starting in the shadow of its end zone attempting a game-winning drive, and it meant Haynes would be playing his first offensive snaps of the season in an incredibly high-leverage situation.
"It was definitely a surreal moments, but just being ready and locked in, that's what they need me for, to be ready and locked in at all times," Haynes said. "So I was ready to go out there and get a game-winning drive going."
Unfortunately for the Seahawks, that game-winning drive came up just short. Starting so far back, the Seahawks ran out of time before they could get into more comfortable field goal range for Jason Myers, who missed from 61-yards on the final play of the game. But despite the end result, Haynes had a strong showing in a tough situation, just the latest Seahawks player to step up and demonstrate the next-man-up mentality that has helped the team succeed despite missing several key players at various parts of season. In fact, Haynes spent that drive lined up next to center Olu Oluwatimi, who took over for an injured Jalen Sundell midway through Seattle's Week 10 win over the Cardinals, and who has played well in a game and a half with the No. 1 offense since that injury.
Zabel's injury is not a serious one that will keep him out long term, but he didn't practice Wednesday and it's possible he misses some game time, and if that ends up being the case this week, the Seahawks are confident in Haynes' ability to fill in.
"He hadn't played football in a minute or live football, for that matter," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. "We'll see what Grey's situation is, but you've got to go, man. We've seen it on our football team, if somebody can't go for a certain amount of time, whether it's practice or games, the standard stays the same. We expect you to go in and go rip it for us and he did that. He didn't bat an eye, and there's things he's going to learn from the game, and we're going to need him to play at a high level if he needs to play this week."
Haynes, a 2024 third-round pick out of Connecticut, spent part of last season splitting time at right guard with starter Anthony Bradford, but did not start a game. He came into camp this year competing with Bradford at right guard, then later at center with Sundell and Oluwatimi, but a pectoral injury cut short his camp and caused him to miss the final two preseason games, and it eventually led to him being placed on injured reserve at the start of the season.
"It felt good being back out there," Haynes said. "I felt confident and I just felt like I had go out there and play my best ball I could possibly play. I felt pretty good out there, I felt in my groove. One thing Coach Mike always says is, just be loose and focused, and I felt loose and focused out there, just going out there blocking, playing my game."
PHOTOS: Seahawks Prepare For Week 12 At Titans With A Practice At The Virginia Mason Athletic Center
The Seahawks began their week of practice on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center as they prepare for Week 12 at Titans.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) and cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) and running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) and cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin (24) and running back Velus Jones Jr. (32) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Bubba Thomas (69) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) and cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin (24) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Christian Haynes (64) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Velus Jones Jr. (32) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Velus Jones Jr. (32) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Derion Kendrick (1) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Myles Gaskin (33) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Velus Jones Jr. (32) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Nick Kallerup (89) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks fullback Brady Russell (38) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) and running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) and running back George Holani (36) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Connor O'Toole (57) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Brenden Rice (87) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Jared Ivey (51) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Brenden Rice (87) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) and wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Courtney Jackson (84) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Courtney Jackson (84) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Brenden Rice (87) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Brenden Rice (87) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Brenden Rice (87) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) and wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) and cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) and cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks assistant head coach Leslie Frazier at practice on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) and wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, November 19 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
