Tag: Abe Lucas

Seahawks address offensive line in ESPN’s latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft

Seahawks address offensive line in ESPN’s latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft

The Seattle Seahawks will own the No. 18 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. As the only 10-win franchise to miss the postseason, it’s the lowest first-round selection among the non-playoff clubs. General manager John Schneider may address a multitude of issues, but none are more glaring than the underwhelming offensive line.

ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid recently released his latest first-round mock draft. Reid has the Seahawks focusing on Geno Smith’s protection by drafting Oregon Ducks offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr.

“The durability concerns surrounding right tackle Abraham Lucas are becoming a long-term issue, as he has been limited to 13 games over the past two seasons,” Reid wrote. “Finding a player who can develop inside at guard and eventually replace Lucas or could slot in at tackle right away should be a priority. The 6-4, 315-pound Conerly made a huge leap in his second season as a starter, allowing only one sack and five pressures. He could be Lucas’ heir apparent or jump in somewhere else on Seattle’s line.”

Lucas performed admirably after returning from injury this season, but there’s no denying that his recurring setbacks are becoming a long-term problem for Seattle. The Seahawks struggled mightily at right tackle in his absence, and need reliability at his position moving forward. It’s also worth acknowledging Lucas will be entering a contract year in 2025.

Seattle’s larger issues are across the interior of their offensive line. Perhaps if Conerly could play guard while Lucas remains at tackle, Schneider would address a more pressing performance issue while simultaneously finding a long-term solution at right tackle should Lucas suffer another setback. Either way, the Seahawks would be adding a quality player to their offensive line by drafting Conerly.

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Seahawks rule RT Abe Lucas OUT for Week 18, Byron Murphy QUESTIONABLE

Seahawks rule RT Abe Lucas OUT for Week 18, Byron Murphy QUESTIONABLE

The Seattle Seahawks are preparing for their 2024 finale in Week 18 against the Los Angeles Rams. The Seahawks have been eliminated from the playoffs and are only playing for pride. While ending the season on a high note with a win and getting a little revenge on a hated division rival, this game is ultimately “meaningless” in the grand scheme of things. As such, Seattle is not likely to risk needless injury to some of their key players.

With that in mind, the Seahawks have already ruled out right tackle Abe Lucas for the Week 18 finale. Lucas has been battling injuries his entire career, and missed the first half of the season in 2024. Lucas is currently listed with an abdomen injury, so it makes sense to keep their starting right tackle sidelined as to avoid potentially setting him back even further going into 2025.

Seattle has also ruled cornerback Josh Jobe OUT as well. Additionally, rookie defensive tackle Byron Murphy II is listed as QUESTIONABLE. Murphy was limited in Wednesday’s practice, and a non-participant for Thursday. The Seahawks may want to protect their key investment as well.

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Pro Football Focus’ 3 highest-graded Seahawks vs. Bears on offense in Week 17

Pro Football Focus’ 3 highest-graded Seahawks vs. Bears on offense in Week 17

The Seattle Seahawks did not play an impressive offensive game in Thursday’s 6-3 Week 17 victory over the Chicago Bears. It was the lowest-scoring contest of the 2024 season. Ryan Grubb’s unit gained merely 265 yards of offense and failed to locate the end zone. Despite that, Pro Football Focus graded these three Seahawks as their best-performing offensive players versus the Bears.

Abraham Lucas | 79.2

Abraham Lucas’ 76.5 grade in pass protection was his highest of the campaign in that department. The former Washington State standout was credited with allowing just two pressures and zero sacks to the Bears’ defensive line. It was his second straight performance not having allowed a QB takedown. Lucas also scored extremely well as a run blocker (79.1).

Zach Charbonnet | 78.9

Zach Charbonnet got the start in place of Kenneth Walker III, who was placed on season-ending injured reserve (IR). The opportunistic back rushed for 57 yards via 15 carries. He was limited to 3.8 yards per carry, but also added 19 receiving yards to his offensive totals, accumulating a stellar team-high 76 yards from scrimmage.

Noah Fant | 74.0

Noah Fant was Geno Smith’s most reliable target. The veteran tight end posted team-highs in receptions (four) and receiving yards (43). In a game where yards and points were difficult to come by, Fant was a reliable chain-mover for Grubb’s struggling offense.

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Pro Football Focus’ 3 highest-graded Seahawks vs. Packers on offense in Week 15

Pro Football Focus’ 3 highest-graded Seahawks vs. Packers on offense in Week 15

The Seattle Seahawks were dismissed by the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football, losing 30-13. Ryan Grubb’s offense gained just 208 total yards and were limited to 13 measly points. Nonetheless, these three Seahawks were their highest-graded players on offense, according to Pro Football Focus.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba | 77.3

Jaxon Smith-Njigba continued his ascension as Geno Smith’s go-to target in the passing game. JSN posted team-highs in receptions (10), receiving yards (83), and targets (12). Smith-Njigba did the majority of his work underneath the coverage, averaging just 8.3 yards per catch, though he was on the receiving end of Seattle’s longest completion of the evening, a 25-yard gain in the passing game.

Charles Cross | 76.3

The Packers dominated the interior of the Seahawks’ makeshift offensive line, but Mike Macdonald’s bookend tackles held their own. Franchise left tackle Charles Cross was credited with allowing three pressures and one sack, posting an overall grade of 81.1 in pass protection. That was his second-best grade of the season in protection.

Abe Lucas | 73.8

Right tackle Abraham Lucas was Seattle’s third-highest graded offensive player at 73.8. He occasionally struggled in pass protection, allowing five pressures and two sacks, but was also dealing with a lackluster situation at right guard. Lucas was also a net positive in the running game, earning a grade of 79.7 in that department.

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Seahawks injury report: Leonard Williams and 4 others did not practice

Seahawks injury report: Leonard Williams and 4 others did not practice

The Seattle Seahawks are gearing up for a crucial Week 14 rematch with the Arizona Cardinals. Seattle is currently in first place in the NFC West, and did create separation with the Cards thanks to them losing to the Vikings. But Arizona is still hot on their tail, and losing to them would redefine the balance of power in the division.

The Seahawks concluded their first practice of the week, and there are a few players who did not participate or were limited. Among the non-participants were Abe Lucas and Leonard Williams. However, this has become common for those two earlier in the week. Wide receiver DK Metcalf was a limited participant after briefly leaving (but returning) the game against the Jets.

The full injury report for Seattle’s Wednesday practice can be seen below.

Did Not Participate:

  • WR Tyler Lockett – NIR/Rest
  • T Abe Lucas – Knee
  • DE Leonard Williams – Foot
  • NT Jarran Reed – NIR/Rest
  • G Laken Tomlinson – NIR/Rest

Limited Participation:

  • WR DK Metcalf – Shoulder
  • TE Brady Russell – Foot
  • RB Kenneth Walker III – Ankle/Calf
  • P Michael Dickson – Back
  • LB Ernest Jones IV – Knee

Full Participation:

  • RB Zach Charbonnet – Elbow
  • TE Noah Fant – Groin
  • T Stone Forsythe – Hand
  • S AJ Finley – Ankle
  • S Coby Bryant – Ankle
  • LB Uchenna Nwosu – Thigh
  • CB Riq Woolen – Ankle

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Seahawks RT Abe Lucas inches closer to full strength in Week 12 win

Seahawks RT Abe Lucas inches closer to full strength in Week 12 win

Third-year Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Abe Lucas made his second consecutive start in Sunday’s 16-6 Week 12 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Lucas made his regular-season debut in last weekend’s win over the San Francisco 49ers. Sunday’s showing indicates Seattle’s preferred right tackle is nearing full strength.

Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb made the decision to occasionally rotate Lucas out of the lineup against San Francisco, replacing him with rookie blocker Mike Jerrell to allow Lucas to catch his breath. That did not occur versus the Cardinals. He played every offensive snap.

Lucas wasn’t perfect. The former Washington State standout was whistled for two illegal formation penalties. Pro Football Focus credited Lucas with allowing two quarterback pressures and zero sacks.

Lucas graded subpar as a run blocker, earning a 50.3 from PFF’s decision makers. It was significantly lower than his debut run-blocking grade of 79.0 last week. Seattle struggled to effectively run the football. Starting ball carrier Kenneth Walker III was limited to 41 rushing yards via 16 carries (2.6 yards per carry).

Lucas’ ability to play the complete workload of snaps indicates progress. The penalties and occasional setbacks in pass protection and as a run blocker indicates he’s still shaking off the rust. Lucas should continue improving down the critical stretch of Seattle’s 2024 season.

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Seahawks looking relatively healthy going into Week 12 vs Cardinals

Seahawks looking relatively healthy going into Week 12 vs Cardinals

The Seattle Seahawks have announced their game designations for the Week 12 showdown against the Arizona Cardinals. After several lengthy injury reports, which included defensive line staple Leonard Williams as a non-participant, the Seahawks are looking relatively healthy this weekend.

The only player officially ruled OUT for Sunday is tight end Brady Russell, who missed Week 11 vs the San Francisco 49ers. This will be the second-straight game Russell will miss with his foot injury.

The good news is no player is listed as DOUBTFUL. Additionally, Russell’s fellow tight end, Noah Fant, is listed as QUESTIONABLE. Fant has missed the previous two games, but he did return to practice in limited capacity. Wide receiver/return specialist Laviska Shenault Jr. is also listed as QUESTIONABLE.

The best news of the day is the fact Leonard Williams carries no gametime designation. This means he will be active on Sunday, which will be a considerable boost to Seattle’s defensive front as they try to contain quarterback Kyler Murray.

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Seahawks RT Abe Lucas should play full workload vs. Cardinals

Seahawks RT Abe Lucas should play full workload vs. Cardinals

Seattle Seahawks right tackle Abe Lucas made his regular-season debut in Sunday’s Week 11 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Head coach Mike Macdonald wisely decided to ease Lucas back into the offense given his lengthy stint on the sidelines. Lucas rotated in and out of the lineup, totaling 42 offensive snaps. Rookie blocker Mike Jerrell occasionally replaced him, playing 18 snaps after making a handful of starts earlier this year.

Lucas was outstanding and did not appear rusty. Pro Football Focus credited Lucas with allowing one sack and one additional pressure in pass protection. He earned a pass-blocking grade of 73.4. As a run blocker, the former Washington State standout was Seattle’s second-highest graded lineman at 79.0.

Now that Lucas has some in-game reps under his belt, the expectation is that he’ll play 100 percent of Ryan Grubb’s offensive snaps in Sunday’s upcoming critical Week 12 NFC West showdown versus the Arizona Cardinals. Grubb confirmed that Lucas should play the complete workload. It offers a boost to Seattle’s improving offensive line.

The Cardinals have recorded 24 sacks in 10 regular-season games this campaign. Jonathan Gannon has lost both of his best projected pass rushers, BJ Ojulari and Dennis Gardeck, to season-ending injuries. ESPN Stats & Info credits the Cardinals with a pass-rush-win-rate (PRWR) of 30 percent, the second-worst rate in the entire league through 11 completed contests.

Sunday projects as a favorable matchup for Lucas to play 100 percent of snaps for the first time this season.

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Seahawks Week 12 injury report: 9 players did not participate Wednesday

Seahawks Week 12 injury report: 9 players did not participate

The Seattle Seahawks are gearing up for their third-straight game against an NFC West opponent: the Arizona Cardinals. It is the first meeting between these two teams this year, and the first since Week 18 to conclude the 2023 season. Arizona is currently in first place at 6-4 on the year, with the Seahawks looking to potentially reclaim the top spot.

Wednesday’s practice featured an incredibly lengthy injury report, particularly for the “did not participate” portion. However, among the nine players who were not at practice, four were veterans having scheduled rest days.

The good news is right tackle Abe Lucas remains a full participant, after returning to action for the first time this season last week. Seattle’s struggling offensive line felt the impact of having him in a big way, as he provided a clear upgrade at the position.

The full injury report from Wednesday’s practice can be seen below.

Did Not Participate:

  • TE Noah Fant – Groin
  • TE Brady Russell – Foot
  • WR Laviska Shenault Jr. – Back
  • CB Dee Williams – Ankle
  • DE Leonard Williams – Foot
  • NT Jarran Reed – NIR/Rest
  • WR Tyler Lockett – NIR/Rest
  • G LAken Tomlinson – NIR/Rest
  • NT Jonathan Hankins – NIR/Rest

Limited Participation:

  • No players were listed in this category for Wednesday’s practice

Full Participation in Practice:

  • T Abe Lucas – Knee
  • TE Pharaoh Brown – Elbow
  • LB Dre’Mont Jones – Shoulder
  • S Rayshawn Jenkins – Hand

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Geno Smith explains Connor Williams’ surprising retirement

Geno Smith explains Connor Williams’ surprising retirement

Last week, the Seattle Seahawks and their fans were given quite a Friday afternoon shock. Shortly after announcing center Connor Williams was ruled out for the Week 11 game against the San Francisco 49ers, head coach Mike Macdonald broke the news that Williams decided to officially retire.

Williams was signed in the offseason and had started all nine games up to that point. He was also playing well, but his play dropped off to a precipitous degree in Weeks 8 and 9 with uncharacteristic high snaps past quarterback Geno Smith.

Macdonald did not elaborate as to why Williams decided to hang up his cleats and call it a career, but we may have some new insight this week. Smith was recently on the Richard Sherman Podcast, and Sherm brought it up as a situation that caught him by surprise. Smith gave a thoughtful response to Sherm about his former teammate.

Given the glamor and glory associated with professional sports, especially the National Football League, it can be easy to forget the players we see on television aren’t demi-gods. Or comic book superheroes. Or video game characters. They are real people, with real issues, concerns, and interests. They are well compensated, but all the money in the world can’t always buy peace of mind or fix mental health concerns.

Whatever the situation may be for Connor Williams, we hope he is able to find said peace and weather whatever storm he is facing in his own life. Hopefully, the decision to walk away from football was the right one.

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