Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Abe Lucas made his 2024 regular-season debut in Sunday’s Week 11 thrilling victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Lucas had been practicing in recent weeks, but had spent the first 10 weeks on the reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list. It was an encouraging debut for the former Washington State standout in a must-win game within the NFC West.
Head coach Mike Macdonald decided to ease Lucas back into the lineup. He rotated in and out of the lineup, totaling 42 offensive snaps. Rookie blocker Mike Jerrell occasionally replaced him, playing 18 snaps.
Pro Football Focus credited Lucas with allowing one sack and one additional pressure in pass protection. He played a high-quality game, earning a pass-blocking grade of 73.4. As a run blocker, Lucas was Seattle’s second-highest graded lineman at 79.0.
“The last five or six plays [of Geno Smith’s game-winning drive], I was breathing very heavily,” Lucas admitted to reporters during his post-game media conference. “It’s been almost a year since I’ve played. When Geno took off and I knew he was going to score, I said thank you Jesus.”
Right tackle Abe Lucas, after his first game in 11 months, says his thought as Geno Smith scrambled for the #Seahawks’ winning TD to finally beat the 49ers with :23 and no time outs: “Thank God.”
He was exhausted.
@thenewstribune pic.twitter.com/plFUZdjw1w
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) November 18, 2024
Coach Macdonald and his staff wisely managed Lucas’ workload. He was terrific, helping transform Seattle’s struggling offensive line to a productive unit against the 49ers. The Seahawks were efficient on third down, converting six-of-13 attempts. Seattle’s offense out-gained San Francisco’s 289-277.
Lucas will attempt to continue showing signs of growth against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 12.
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