The Seattle Seahawks will likely be playing their first game of the 2023 season without their top draft pick.
According to Ian Rapoport at NFL Network, former Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon is not expected to make his debut for Seattle today.
#Seahawks first-round CB Devon Witherspoon, dealing with a hamstring injury, is not expected to make his debut today. It'll be another week, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 10, 2023
Witherspoon has all the time in the world to make up for it, but he’s had a slow start to his career in the NFL. The hamstring injury that he’s dealing with has put him on the sidelines for two extended stretches this offseason – including all three preseason games and every practice for a month until this past week.
Once Witherspoon gets into the lineup, the expectation is that he’ll be playing in the slot position – as Tre Brown and Riq Woolen are listed as the starters at left and right cornerback respectively on the team’s depth chart. At least for today’s game against the Rams, Coby Bryant will be starting in that slot position. Yesterday, the Seahawks elevated cornerback Artie Burns from the practice squad to the active roster, offering additional depth.
On the team’s latest injury report Witherspoon was officially listed as questionable, as well as left guard Damien Lewis. Strong safety Jamal Adams and running back Kenny McIntosh (who’s been placed on injured reserve) have been ruled out.
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