The Seahawks are getting one player back from injured reserve, but losing another. Safety Tedric Thompson, Seattle's starting free safety during the first half of the season, was placed on injured reserve Wednesday with a shoulder injury.
In more positive news, tight end Ed Dickson has been designated for return from injured reserve. That means Dickson can now start practicing without counting toward the 53-man roster limit, but the Seahawks would have to make a move to add him to the roster before Sunday's game against Tampa Bay for him to play in that game. Filling Thompson's spot on the roster is veteran defensive end Dekoda Watson.
Thompson, who took over a starting role last year after Earl Thomas went down with a broken leg, started six games at safety this year, recording 19 tackles and two interceptions. Dickson, who joined the Seahawks as a free agent last year, had knee surgery in August, and his return became even more important after Will Dissly went down with a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 6.
"He's going to go this week," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Monday of Dickson returning to practice. "We're bringing Ed back with the thought—give him the chance to practice with the chance to play. He's worked really hard leading up to this time through his rehab and all where he has been preparing for the workload. We're very optimistic that he could (play) if he can make it through the week. We've got to see how he handles the workload, but his mindset is on playing."
Watson, a seventh-round pick out of Florida State in 2010, most recently played for the San Francisco 49ers, appearing in four games last season and 14 in 2017. He has previously spent time with Denver, New England, Dallas, Jacksonville and Tampa Bay, recording 152 tackles and six sacks over nine seasons.
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seattle Seahawks' Week 8 game against the Atlanta Falcons. Eye on the Hawks is presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers.
On Saturday, Jarran Reed, Jadeveon Clowney and their teammates arrived for the walk-thru in preparation for Sunday's contest on the road against the Atlanta Falcons.
Offensive tackle Duane Brown greets members of a youth football team who were on hand to watch the Seahawks do their Saturday walk-thru.
The Seahawks line up during their Saturday walk-thru.
Jaron Brown and David Moore keep a football up in the air during an informal hand-eye coordination game.
Running backs coach Chad Morton reviews strategy with Rashaad Penny.
Head coach Pete Carroll addresses the team at the conclusion of walk-thru.
Seahawks tight end Luke Willson lets out a yell after seeing a small Canadian flag hanging on one end of the practice facility.
Defensive backs Ugo Amadi and Lano Hill laugh at the conclusion of walk-thru on Saturday.
Duane Brown captures the inside of Mercedes-Benz Stadium during a brief visit on Saturday.
Center Justin Britt and running back Chris Carson walk on the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium during the team's visit on Saturday.
On Sunday morning, offensive guard D.J. Fluker sported a gold jacket as he made his way to the buses for the ride to the game.
Young fans wearing Russell Wilson jerseys wave to the buses as they pull away from the team's hotel.
At the stadium, Jarran Reed does early work with assistant coach Jethro Franklin.
Seahawks general manager John Schneider gives his best wishes to cornerback Akeem King, who was starting in place of the injured Tre Flowers.
Tangie Griffin, mother of Seahawks Shaquill and Shaquem Griffin, greets her sons on the sidelines prior to the game between the Seahawks and the Atlanta Falcons.
Seahawks offensive linemen Germain Ifedi and Joey Hunt in the moments before taking the field to face the Atlanta Falcons.
Seahawks George Fant and Justin Britt lead the team down a path from the visitors locker room to the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where fans dining in a restaurant have a view of the players as they walk by.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll sprints onto the field during pregame introductions.
Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney gets pumped up before kickoff.
Head referee Clete Blakeman flips the coin during the pregame coin toss as Seahawks captains Russell Wilson and Mike Iupati watch along with Falcons captains Julio Jones and Devonta Freeman.
Seahawks tight end Luke Willson heads upfield after a reception on the team's opening drive, which resulted in a field goal.
Seahawks safety Marquise Blair brings down Atlanta's Austin Hooper in the first quarter. Blair led all tacklers with 11 tackles on the afternoon.
Seahawks Jarran Reed and Branden Jackson leap high on a field goal attempt by Atlanta's Matt Bryant, which missed wide left.
Seahawks running back Chris Carson finds the second level of the Falcons defense, helped by a block by teammate Mike Iupati.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf scored two touchdowns from Russell Wilson during the victory.
Seahawks fans made themselves known in Atlanta.
Seahawks linebacker Mychal Kendricks celebrates his second quarter interception with teammate Neiko Thorpe.
Chris Carson finds running room as center Joey Hunt finishes a block to spring Carson free.
Seahawks Chris Carson and quarterback Russell Wilson celebrate Carson's one-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson looks downfield with plenty of room in the pocket.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett makes a tough over-the-shoulder catch in the first half while covered tightly by Falcons defender Kendall Sheffield.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf gets his hands on the ball on this fade route in the end zone but was unable to hold on and the ball fell incomplete.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett makes a spectacular one-handed catch using his shoulder pad in the second quarter.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers converts a 54-yard field goal to extend Seattle's lead to 27-11 in the second half.
Seahawks fans were loud and plentiful during the road victory in Atlanta, and celebrated as the team took a 24-0 lead into halftime.
At halftime, injured Seahawks center Justin Britt came out of the locker room to greet his teammates and offer encouragement.
Receivers coach Nate Carroll talks to his players in the visitors locker room at halftime.
Seahawks special teams player Travis Homer dives in an attempt to bring down Falcons returner Kenjon Barner.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll gives instruction during a timeout.
Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner recovers a fumble caused by safety Marquise Blair (27) near the goal line, thwarting a Falcons scoring drive.
Seahawks fans gather near the team's tunnel to congratulate them after the win.
In the locker room, head coach Pete Carroll addressed the team.
Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright presented the game ball to his friend and teammate Bobby Wagner, who during the game became the team's all-time leading tackler.
Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner accepts the game ball from friend and teammate K.J. Wright in the team's locker room after the game.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner accepts hugs and congratulations from teammates after being awarded the game ball and for setting the franchise mark for most tackles.
The Seahawks head from the buses to their charter flight for the ride home from Atlanta.
As has become customary after a road victory, veterans get to sit in the first class seats usually reserved for the coaches. Jadeveon Clowney and Duane Brown talk about the game from the front of the plane.
Linebacker Bobby Wagner, wearing a Howard University sweatshirt, is already reviewing game tape even before the plane takes off from Atlanta.
