The Seahawks head into their Week 16 game against the Bears with only two players on the final injury report for the week, linebacker Jon Rhattigan, who has been ruled out with a knee injury, and cornerback Bless Austin, who is questionable with a hip injury.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Friday that Austin, who started last week's game at right cornerback in place of D.J. Reed, will be a game-day decision.
"He's got a hip pointer that he's dealing with, and we'll see how that goes," Carroll said. "That's the kind of thing you've got to rest all the way until gameday. We'll see what happens we get close."
With Reed still on the reserve/COVID-19 list as of Friday, the Seahawks could have depth concerns at corner if he is unable to return and Austin's injury keeps him from playing. John Reid played in place of Austin when he left Tuesday's game before eventually returning, and would be the likely candidate to start should Reed and Austin both be unavailable.
"He got going," Carroll said of Reid seeing his first significant playing time on defense. "Had a play he could have helped on, on the deep ball to Cooper (Kupp), but other than that, he ran around and knew what he was doing and was comfortable being out there. He's really quick and can run really fast, and that showed up."
Not listed with a game status is quarterback Russell Wilson, who showed up on the injury report with an ankle injury, the result of a Rams player falling on his ankle Tuesday.
"He's fine," Carroll said. "He showed no issues. He had an ankle that was maybe a littles sore, but he was fine."
The Seahawks also had tackle Jamarco Jones return to practice this week from injured reserve, and while it might be too soon for him to play this week, Carroll said Jones, who was out with a back injury, could probably play if needed.
"He looked good," Carroll said. "He waited long enough to return back to action, went right back in there. He didn't get extended action, but he looks fine. It looks like he's getting really close. If we needed him, he looked like he could probably play. That would be rushing it, we'd like to wait another week, but we'll see what happens here."
On the COVID-19 front, meanwhile, the Seahawks have gotten back three players from the COVID-list this week, receiver Tyler Locket, running back Alex Collins and running back Travis Homer, but they still have five players on the list: tight end Will Dissly, cornerback D.J. Reed, defensive end Kerry Hyder Jr., defensive tackle Brian Mone and right tackle Brandon Shell. Carroll did note that under the league's revised COVID-19 protocols, players can be cleared on gameday to return, so the Seahawks have the next two days to try to get some of those players back.
As for Lockett, who went on the list last Thursday before returning a week later, Carroll said, "He's ready to go. He looked like he kicked right back into high gear."
Carroll also said linebackers coach John Glenn, who missed Tuesday's game due to COVID-19, has not yet cleared to return and has been working virtually. Defensive passing game coordinator Andre Curtis will also miss the game due to illness. Defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. will handle Glenn's gameday responsibilities, while defensive assistant DeShawn Shead will handle Curtis' duties.
