The Seahawks will be making a change at right tackle, once again, due to injury.
And when Seattle plays in Atlanta on Sunday, it will be rookie Michael Jerrell making his first NFL start in place of Stone Forsythe, who has been starting since Week 2 in place of an injured George Fant, who was the Week 1 starter in place of an injured Abraham Lucas.
Forsythe was ruled out for Sunday's game with a hand injury, with Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald saying, "He had some stuff messed up with his hand, so he got it fixed, and he'll be back soon."
Macdonald confirmed that Jerrell, a sixth-round pick out of Division II University of Findlay, will make the start. Jerrell was inactive for the first five games before being active as a backup last week, playing four snaps on special teams.
"He had a great week of prep," Macdonald said. "The guy has just kept improving since he's gotten here. He has come such a long way in less than a year, so I'm proud of him. He's got a great opportunity, I know he's excited, and I'm excited to see him go do his thing.
"The game has slowed down for him tremendously. I know he's working his tail off, and he's banked a lot of great one-on-one reps against our ones in practice. He's got a bright future, and hopefully this is the start of it."
Making the jump from Division II to the NFL may seem like a big one, but Macdonald likes what he has seen from the rookie in practice, citing "His mentality, work ethic. If you just do it every day, you don't feel it in the moment, but you look back—we talk about stacking, this is a guy that exemplifies that progress. The days are long and years are short, you look back at the amount of progress that he's made, I'm just proud of him."
In addition to Forsythe, the Seahawks will also be missing two of their top cornerbacks to injury, Riq Woolen and Tre Brown, who both have ankle injuries. The Seahawks also placed cornerback Artie Burns on injured reserve earlier in the week.
Macdonald said both Brown and Woolen "are on really good timelines" and said the hope is for both to return next week, but for this weekend the Seahawks will have Devon Witherspoon, rookie Nehemiah Pritchett, who played in place of Woolen after he left Seattle's Week 5 game with the injury, and two players Macdonald said will be activated off the practice squad Faion Hicks and Josh Jobe.
"We'll make a couple of moves tomorrow," Macdonald said. "Faion will come up, Josh Jobe will come up and play. Then the other guys on the roster will get a great opportunity to go out there and show what they can do. Excited to see them play."
At safety, the Seahawks will be without starting safety Rayshawn Jenkins, who was put on injured reserve this week with a hand injury. Macdonald said Jenkins had surgery on his hand on Friday following last week's game, and is expected back this season. With Jenkins out, the Seahawks can turn to either K'Von Wallace or Coby Bryant to start at safety alongside Julian Love.
On Wallace, who has played 23 percent of Seattle's defensive snaps in three-safety sets, Macdonald said. "He had a great training camp, he's a guy who just has a lot of great energy on special teams, then when he gets his opportunity on defense. Position flexibility, he can play nickel and safety and dime, so when he gets his opportunity, we'll expect good things for him."
On Bryant, Macdonald said, "I see a lot more confidence and communicating now that he's really gotten ahold of the system. And he's a guy that affects the football. So I've got a lot of confidence in Coby, he's working really hard, and he's another guy, along with K'Von, that when he's in there, we'll be rocking and rolling. So I'm excited to see him play."
While the Seahawks are dealing with injuries in the secondary, they are getting stronger up front after dealing with injuries at defensive line and linebacker earlier in the season. Everyone is expected to be available in the front seven, including Byron Murphy II, who missed the past three games with a hamstring injury, and Roy Robertson-Harris, who was acquired in a trade earlier this week.
Macdonald said Robinson-Harris has been "as we expected," since joining the team in a trade with the Jaguars.
"It'll be fun to see him go out there and play," Macdonald said. "He picked it up really quickly, just a smart guy, great guy. Physical. He's enormous, which is good, you like big players. He's a big, strong guy. It'll be fun to see him go do his play."
Macdonald also said that veteran tackle Jason Peters, who signed with the team earlier this month, is making good progress, but will not be elevated for this week's game.
"Good progress," Macdonald said. "He's not coming up this week, but we're excited about Jason, he's doing a great job."
Check out the Seahawks 53-man roster for the 2024 season.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaelon Darden (1).
This is a 2024 photo of Rayshawn Jenkins of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2).
This is a 2023 photo of Michael Dickson of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4)
This is a 2023 photo of Jason Myers of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5)
This is a 2024 photo of Sam Howell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell (6)
This is a 2023 photo of Geno Smith of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7)
This is a 2024 photo of Coby Bryant of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback/safety Coby Bryant (8)
This is a 2024 photo of Kenneth Walker III of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9)
This is a 2023 photo of Uchenna Nwosu of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10).
This is a 2024 photo of Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11)
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13).
This is a 2024 photo of DK Metcalf of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14)
This is a 2024 photo of Tyler Lockett of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16)
Seahawks linebacker Josh Ross (18).
This is a 2024 photo of Jake Bobo of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks rookie receiver Jake Bobo makes his first touchdown catch on a pass from Geno Smith in the fourth quarter.
This is a 2024 photo of Julian Love of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20)
This is a 2023 photo of Devon Witherspoon of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21)
This is a 2024 photo of Tre Brown of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22)
This is a 2024 photo of Kenny McIntosh of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25)
This is a 2024 photo of Zach Charbonnet of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26)
This is a 2024 photo of Riq Woolen of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27)
This is a 2024 photo of Nehemiah Pritchett of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28)
This is a 2024 photo of Josh Jobe of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of September 5, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks S Jerrick Reed II is in his first season in the NFL and his first season with the Seahawks.
Seahawks safety Jerrick Reed II (32).
This is a 2024 photo of Brady Russell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Brady Russell (38)
This is a 2024 photo of Chris Stoll of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks long snapper Chris Stoll (41)
This is a 2024 photo of Drake Thomas of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42)
This is a 2024 photo of Tyrice Knight of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48)
This is a 2024 photo of Trevis Gipson of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of September 5, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Trevis Gipson (50).
This is a 2024 photo of Olu Oluwatini of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (51)
This is a 2023 photo of Patrick O'Connell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52).
This is a 2024 photo of Boye Mafe of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53)
This is a 2023 photo of Dre'Mont Jones of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (55)
This is a 2024 photo of Derick Hall of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58)
This is a 2024 photo of Jalen Sundell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of September 5, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks offensive lineman Jalen Sundell (61)
This is a 2024 photo of Sataoa Laumea of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Sataoa Laumea (63)
This is a 2024 photo of Christian Haynes of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Christian Haynes (64)
This is a 2024 photo of Michael Jerrell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Michael Jerrell (65)
This is a 2024 photo of Charles Cross of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2024 photo of Laken Tomlinson of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Laken Tomlinson (70)
This is a 2023 photo of Abraham Lucas of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 5, 2023, when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72).
This is a 2024 photo of Cody White of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82).
This is a 2024 photo of Dareke Young of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83)
This is a 2024 photo of Pharaoh Brown of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Pharaoh Brown (86)
This is a 2022 photo of Noah Fant of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 6, 2022 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87)
This is a 2024 photo of AJ Barner of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88)
This is a 2024 photo of Jarran Reed of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90)
This is a 2024 photo of Byron Murphy II of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91)
This is a 2024 photo of Mike Morris of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94)
This is a 2024 photo of Johnathan Hankins of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (97)
Seahawks defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris (98).
This is a 2024 photo of Leonard Williams of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99)
