The Seahawks head to Buffalo this week to take on the AFC East-leading Bills, and will do so a bit short-handed, having ruled six players out on Friday: running back Chris Carson (foot), cornerback Shaquill Griffin (hamstring/concussion), left guard Mike Iupati (back), defensive end Benson Mayowa (ankle), and running back Carlos Hyde (hamstring).
The injury news isn't all bad, however, because All-Pro safety Jamal Adams got through the week of practice well and will return to the field for the first time since injuring his groin in Seattle's Week 3 win over the Cowboys.
"We won't limit him at all," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. "He took everything this week… He reported coming off the rehab really fit, so he looked great this week. He was flying. I don't see any reason to restrict him at all."
In addition to bringing play-making ability to the secondary—Adams had 21 tackles, three for a loss, and two sacks in his two full games prior to the injury—he also brings an energy to the defense that can help everyone on the field.
"He's just a fireball," Carroll said. "He's got so much juice to him. He plays at such a high level, and it translates to other guys in giving them confidence, and he'll pick guys up after good plays, after bad plays, he's just got such a positive effect that he's a big factor. He's a big factor. He's a factor when he's not playing. So the fact is he's going out there to play some football for us, he's such a good ballplayer. I don't know how rusty he'll be at all, but you'll know that he's out there. You're going to be able to feel him on the field. He just makes things happen, and we're really excited about his return, and also about the way we're able to play him and the positions we can put him in."
The Seahawks defense will also see the debut of defensive end Carlos Dunlap II this weekend. Dunlap, who was acquired in a trade last week, did not play last weekend due to COVID-19 testing protocols, but had a good week of practice and is ready to play after "seamless" transition.
"Carlos had a really complete week," Carroll said. "He was ready to go right at the beginning of the first day in the walkthrough and he had already studied up over the weekend, and stuff came real easy to them. So he was able to go out and play really clean. That's your concern—is he confused, does it slow him down, the new system at all? But he's played enough ball and he understands principles, and they do fit the way he's liked to play in the past, so the transition was nothing. It was just it was seamless. Really looking forward, it's been all lit up and having fun with everybody during the weekend."
Carroll also indicated that defensive end Rasheem Green will be activated from the injured reserve list ahead of the game. Green, who left Seattle's Week 1 game with a stinger, returned to practice two weeks ago, and is ready to play, Carroll said. The Seahawks still have an open spot on their 53-man roster so Green could be activated without a corresponding move.
"Rasheem had a fantastic couple of weeks here," Carroll said. "He's in great shape, so he's ready to get out there and play. He worked really hard in his rehab and return, and was in great shape before we started last week, so he looks really good."
As for the players unable to go this week, here are the injury updates provided by Carroll:
RB Chris Carson
The hope had been that Carson could work out Friday to see how his injured foot would respond, then be a game-day decision, but instead it was decided he wasn't ready for that.
"He couldn't make it today," Carroll said. "Today was going to be the day we tried to decide where he was, and they didn't feel like it was right to bring him out there today. So we got leave him home, take care of him, get him ready for next week."
With Carlos Hyde also out the Seahawks will again are down to just DeeJay Dallas and Travis Homer, though Homer is healthier this week after playing sparingly with a bruised knee last week. The Seahawks also added Alex Collins to their practice squad this week and he could be an option to play this week as well if the Seahawks decide to elevate him.
"He had a terrific week for us and was really impressive," Carroll said. "He kind of fell right back into the flow of things here, and we'd feel very comfortable with him playing."
G Mike Iupati
Iupati has missed the last three games with a back injury, but could start working his way back towards playing next week.
"Mike felt really good yesterday and today," Carroll said. "So he's just got to get back out of it. It depends on if he can withstand the workload when we get back to going. There's a really good chance that he could be doing that next week. And we'll have to see how he responds to see if there's any long-term effects, we don't know that yet."
CB Shaquill Griffin
Griffin is dealing with both a hamstring injury and a concussion suffered in Seattle's Week 7 game in Arizona. Carroll said the hamstring issue is what is keeping him out, and that they'll reevaluate things next week.
"His hamstring wasn't ready, so we'll get back after it by Wednesday of next week and determine where he is about the concussion thing," Carroll said. "His hammy wasn't ready, so we just have to wait it out."
DE Benson Mayowa
Mayowa will miss a second straight game with an ankle injury that Carroll clarified was a high ankle sprain: "Benson has a high-ankle sprain that he's dealing with. He thought he was coming along a little bit faster. High ankles can sometimes be that—you feel OK until you really push them and really try to call on it. When he went after it, he wasn't able to get back. So we'll wait it out, and hopefully when we get into next week he'll have a chance to get back out.
DB Ugo Amadi
Amadi will miss a second straight game with a hamstring injury, and Carroll said they should know more next week on his prognosis: "By Wednesday, Thursday, we'll be able to know where he is. It's a really important weekend for him. He needs to make the progress—he's feeling good, but not able to go full speed yet. So Wednesday, Thursday really will be important."
In non-injury news, Carroll said veteran defensive tackle Damon Harrison, who was added to the practice squad last month, continues to progress well, and how his return is just a matter of finding a place for him in the defensive tackle rotation.
"Like I've been saying last two weeks have been his best two weeks, by far," Carroll said. "This was his best week again on top of last. He's ready to go; we've just got to get spot for him. Our guys have been doing a nice job, and we haven't felt like sitting anybody down yet for him to get up. But he's ready to go. So as soon as the opportunity pops, he's going to jump in. He's looking good, he's worked really hard to get himself in great shape, and he's starting to really come around."
