The Seahawks listed three of their top defensive linemen as questionable for Monday night’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, but following Saturday’s practice in which Jadeveon Clowney, Jarran Reed and Al Woods were all limited participants, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll expressed optimism that all three should be available for the game.
On Clowney, who missed last week’s game with a core-muscle injury, Carroll said, “We just practiced him very lightly today, but he did well yesterday and he’s fine. He should be ready to go.”
Carroll also described Reed, who left last week’s game early with an ankle injury, as “ready to go.”
Woods, a key piece of Seattle’s run defense, was dealing with a foot injury this week, but Carroll said, “He practiced today and he looked fine. Those guys, this is that time of the year where these guys aren’t going to be perfect, but they all feel like they can play and they’re excited to play in the game. Until they don’t and can’t, we’re counting on them.”
Also questionable are tight end Luke Willson, who missed last week’s game with a hamstring injury, and linebacker Mychal Kendricks, who had a hamstring tighten up in practice this week. Both of those players will be game-day decisions, Carroll said.
On Kendricks, Carroll said, “He had a little tightness in his hammy yesterday, so we thought we’d rest him today and get a couple days here to cool him down. He takes a lot of reps in practices and loves to really go. We just thought it’d be best to rest him and see what happens. We’ll need to check him on gameday, though.”
Carroll said, Willson “made really good progress. He was flying up and down the field. We’ve got to be careful with this one because we just don’t want it to linger. We’ll make a late decision on this one.”
While he isn’t eligible to play in Seattle’s Week 13 game against the Vikings, this week did see offensive lineman Ethan Pocic return to practice. Pocic, who was placed on injured reserve with a neck injury in October, has to miss eight games before being activated from injured reserve, which means if all goes well over the next couple of weeks, he could be added to the 53-man roster for Seattle’s Week 15 game in Carolina.
“Ethan did a really good job,” Carroll said. “He made it through the whole week. Took some one on ones in pass rush. Really hopeful—he’s got another week to go before he’s ready to come back—but he looked strong, he looked good. I talked to him a couple different times and he feels nothing from the injury. So, that’s a really good response. It’ll be important to see how he is after the whole week and see how he comes back out. Really hopeful that he can be involved.”
In addition to injury concerns, the Seahawks have also had to deal with an illness making its way around the team this week. Receivers Tyler Lockett and David Moore, guard Jordan Roos and defensive tackle Poona Ford all missed practice Friday and Saturday due to illness, and cornerback Tre Flowers was limited Saturday. Carroll said all are expected to be well enough to play Monday.
“It has been an interesting week for us,” Carroll said. “The practices have been really good. We’ve had some guys that have had the illness that’s going around. So, we’ve kept some guys out. Everybody we think of those guys are going to play. There’s no reason that they won’t, other than they feel lousy.”
For the Vikings, a handful of key players are questionable, including receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring), safeties Harrison Smith (hamstring) and Anthony Harris, and defensive tackle Linval Joseph.
Here are the full injury reports for both teams:
Seattle Seahawks
Doubtful
FB Nick Bellore (quadriceps, did not participate in practice)
CB Neiko Thorpe (groin, did not participate in practice)
Questionable
TE Luke Willson (hamstring, did not participate in practice)
DE Jadeveon Clowney (core, limited participation in practice)
DT Jarran Reed (ankle, limited participation in practice)
LB Mychal Kendricks (hamstring, did not participate in practice)
DT Al Woods (ankle, limited participation in practice)
Minnesota Vikings
Out
LB Ben Gedeon (concussion, did not participate in practice)
Questionable
DT Linval Joseph (knee, full participation in practice)
WR Adam Thielen (hamstring, limited participation in practice)
S Harrison Smith (hamstring, full participation in practice)
S Anthony Harris (groin, limited participation in practice)
DT Shamar Stephen (knee, full participation in practice)
The Seahawks and the Vikings will meet this Monday at CenturyLink Field on Monday Night Football for the thirteenth game of the 2019 season. Take a look back at photos from past games between the two teams.
Fran Tarkenton is about to be sacked by Seattle Seahawks tackle Dick Harris (77) on Dec. 14, 1976. The Vikings host the Washington Redskins on December 18 in an NFL Playoff Game. (AP Photo)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander, right, leaps into the end zone for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter Sunday, Sept. 29, 2002, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander waves to the crowd after scoring his fifth touchdown in the first half, an NFL record, against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Sept., 29, 2002, at Seattle's Seahawk Stadium. (AP Photo/Jim Bryant)
Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander, right, leaves behind Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Spencer Johnson, left, as he heads for a touchdown on a 12-yard pass from quarterback Matt Hasselbeck during the second quarter in Minneapolis, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2004. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Trent Dilfer (4) completes a pass to Taco Wallace as Minnesota Vikings' Chris Hovan (99) is blocked during the first quarter in Seattle Thursday Sept. 2, 2004. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Minnesota Vikings running back Onterrio Smith (32) fumbles the ball as he is tackled by Seattle Seahawks linebackers Niko Koutouvides (53) and Solomon Bates (50) during the fourth quarter in Minneapolis, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2004. The ball was recovered by Seahawks defensive tackle Rashad Moore. The Seahawks beat the Vikings, 27-23. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Seattle Seahawks' Antoine Burns (19) runs with Minnesota Vikings' Nick Rogers (58) and Rushen Jones (31) giving chase on a 74 yard pass play during the second quarter in Seattle, Thursday Sept. 2, 2004. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Minnesota Vikings' Bethel Johnson, left, gains ground on a 28-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter of a football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006, in Seattle. The Vikings won 31-13. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Seneca Wallace (15) passes Minnesota Vikings' Darrion Scott (98) defends in a NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006, in Seattle. The Vikings won 31-13. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brad Johnson is sacked by Seattle Seahawks' Julian Peterson to end the second quarter in a football game in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, left, hands off to Seattle Seahawks running back Justin Forsett against the Minnesota Vikings in an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Seattle Seahawks' T.J. Houshmandzadeh (84) runs with the ball as Minnesota Vikings' Benny Sapp (22) takes him down during the third quarter of a NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009 at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. The Vikings defeated the Seahawks 35-9. (AP Photo/Hannah Foslien)
Seattle Seahawks running back Justin Forsett (20) scores a touchdown past Minnesota Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway (52) and defensive end Jared Allen (69) during their NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009. The Vikings won 35-9. (AP Photo/Andy King)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre, right, speaks with Seattle Seahawks' Leroy Hill following an NFL football game at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. The Vikings defeated the Seahawks 35-9. (AP Photo/Hannah Foslien, File)
Seattle Seahawks' Golden Tate (81) leaps over Minnesota Vikings' Josh Robinson (21) for a touchdown late in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch (24) rushes between several Minnesota Vikings, including A.J. Jefferson, right, and Christian Ballard (99), during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 30-20. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Chris Clemons (91) rushes during an NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Minnesota Vikings in Seattle, WA Sunday, November 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Tom Hauck)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Mike Morgan (57) tries to tackle Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) during an NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Minnesota Vikings in Seattle, WA Sunday, November 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Tom Hauck)
The line of scrimmage between the Seattle Seahawks and the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Minnesota Vikings in Seattle, WA Sunday, November 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Tom Hauck)
Seattle Seahawks' Byron Maxwell, top, leaps on the back of Walter Thurmond after Thurmond intercepted and scored against the Minnesota Vikings in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) throws a pass during an NFL game against the Minnesota Vikings on November 17, 2013. The Seahawks defeated the Vikings 41-20. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) looks for running room in action against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday December 6, 2015 in Minneapolis, Minn. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls (34) runs for yardage in action against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday December 6, 2015 in Minneapolis, Minn. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) is surrounded in the pocket trying to pass in action against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday December 6, 2015 in Minneapolis, Minn. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) celebrates his eight-yard touchdown run against the Minnesota Vikings in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Seattle Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor (31) forces a fumble by Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) during an NFL wild-card playoff game, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016, in Minneapolis. The Seahawks defeated the Vikings 10-9. (Kirby Lee/NFL)
Seattle Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett (16) is pursued by Minnesota Vikings cornerback Josh Robinson (21) on a 35-yard reception in the fourth quarter during a NFL wild-card playoff game, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016, in Minneapolis. The Seahawks defeated the Vikings 10-9. (Kirby Lee/NFL)
Seattle Seahawks tackle Russell Okung (76) consoles Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) after an NFL wild-card playoff game, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016, in Minneapolis. The Seahawks defeated the Vikings 10-9. (Kirby Lee/NFL)
