Tag: Chad Wheeler

Seahawks RT Brandon Shell has good chance to practice this week

Seattle Seahawks starting right tackle Brandon Shell has a good chance to practice this week after recovering from a high ankle sprain.

The Seattle Seahawks were hurting at right tackle in Sunday’s loss to the New York Giants, to say the least, but one injured lineman could be close to returning.

Brandon Shell, who has missed the last couple of contests battling an ankle injury, is on the mend.

“Brandon Shell should be getting real close, he’s steadily improving,” coach Pete Carroll said during his Monday interview on 710 ESPN Seattle. “He wasn’t well enough to play but he has a good chance to practice some this week. It will probably take us all the way to the end of the week to know.

“I know playing against the Jets (his former team), he really wants to get in this game so he’ll do everything he can.”

With tackle Cedric Ogbuehi inactive against the Giants, backup right guard Jamarco Jones got the start at RT on Sunday until he too suffered an injury (groin pull) and had to leave the game. Chad Wheeler came in off the bench as Jones’ replacement.

Getting Shell back in the lineup would be key for Seattle to close out the regular season.

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The good, the bad, and the ugly from Seahawks’ loss to Giants

The Seattle Seahawks became the first winning team to fall victim to the NFC East this season, losing to the Giants in a shocking upset.

The Seattle Seahawks’ sole possession of first place in the NFC West lasted for all of one week, as they suffered a crushing 17-12 defeat in Week 13 at the hands of the Daniel Jones-less New York Giants (5-7). Seattle led 5-0 at halftime, but fell apart in the second half, allowing the Giants to score 17 straight points. There were few bright spots for the Seahawks on Sunday, but two defensive players, in particular, stood out in a positive way.

THE GOOD

Ryan Neal: Safety Ryan Neal has been a revelation for the Seahawks since he was promoted from the practice squad in Week 3 against the Cowboys. In Sunday’s contest, he forced an interception after a massive hit to New York tight end Evan Engram, which caused the football to pop out of Engram’s grasp and into the waiting hands of Seattle’s Quandre Diggs. Neal also blocked Riley Dixon’s punt from the New York 11-yard line with just 28 seconds to go in the first half, which led to the ball bouncing out the back of the end zone for two points. Once a fringe player that bounced back and forth from the waiver wire and the active roster, Ryan Neal’s 2020 campaign makes it apparent that he should be here to stay.

Jamal Adams: Seattle’s star safety was a matchup nightmare for the Giants for most of the game, although he did allow a key first down to Evan Engram that prolonged their last drive. Adams has racked up linebacker-worthy stats all year, adding 11 tackles and a sack to his incredible season. Just one more sack from Adams in the Seahawks’ four remaining games will surpass the NFL’s single-season record for defensive back sacks, which was set in 2005 by Adrian Wilson.

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Seahawks activate Chad Wheeler from practice squad to active roster

The Seattle Seahawks have activated tackle Chad Wheeler from the practice squad to the active roster for depth during Week 1 in Atlanta.

The Seattle Seahawks announced a roster move Saturday afternoon, promoting tackle Chad Wheeler from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of the Week 1 matchup in Atlanta against the Falcons.

Earlier in the day, Seattle had added tackle Jamarco Jones to the injury report as questionable with an undisclosed illness. With Cedric Ogbuehi already ruled out of the season opener with a pectoral injury, Wheeler gives the Seahawks a little insurance on the offensive line.

In light of the roster rule changes this year allowing a 55-man roster on game day, Seattle does not need to make a corresponding move to clear a spot for Wheeler, who can also return to the practice squad Monday without having to clear waivers.

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Seahawks may need Chad Wheeler to step up on Sunday against Packers

The Seattle Seahawks listed Duane Brown and George Fant as questionable for Sunday. If both are out, Chad Wheeler may make his season debut.

The Seattle Seahawks listed starting left tackle Duane Brown (knee) and backup left tackle George Fant (groin) as questionable for Sunday’s divisional round matchup with the Green Bay Packers.

Additionally, left guard Mike Iupati (neck) is doubtful, which means Jamarco Jones will likely start in his place once again.

If all three players are unable to go, Seattle will have no choice but to turn to Chad Wheeler to start at left tackle. Wheeler spent the majority of the regular season on Seattle’s practice squad, getting recalled earlier this week, and he has not played in an NFL game this season.

However, Wheeler has made 19 NFL starts in his career, and spent two years in offensive line coach Mike Solari’s system while with the Giants, so he’s familiar with the protection schemes.

“He’s played for Mike [Solari] and Mike knows him real well,” coach Pete Carroll said on Friday. “He’s real confident if we need him he’ll be able to jump up. He’s worked on the left side for us, almost the whole time.”

There’s no doubt Wheeler having to play on Sunday would be bad news for the Seahawks, who have already dealt with so many injuries up front, but Wheeler is far more experienced than most practice squad promotions, and while most of his NFL experience has come at right tackle, Carroll doesn’t seem worried about having him step up on the left side.

It’s never easy to make your season debut in such a crucial environment, especially on a new team, but Carroll’s messaging to Wheeler is to just do what he is capable of doing, and not to try to overdo it.

“We don’t want to overtry, try to do stuff that’s not within his wheelhouse,” Carroll continued. “He’s a good smart football player. He’s been in the system and he knows what we’re asking of him. He’s been really solid throughout, the main thing is do just do what he’s capable of doing and not overreach.”

The Seahawks will certainly hope that at least one of Brown, Fant or Iupati can suit up on Sunday, pushing Wheeler into a reserve role, but if worst comes to worst his familiarity with the system and prior NFL experience at least makes him an acceptable option on Seattle’s starting line.

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Seahawks place linebacker Mychal Kendricks on injured reserve

The Seattle Seahawks placed linebacker Mychal Kendricks on the injured reserve, promoting tackle Chad Wheeler from the practice squad.

The Seattle Seahawks officially placed linebacker Mychal Kendricks (knee) on the injured reserve, ending his 2019 season.

Seattle used the roster spot to promote tackle Chad Wheeler off the practice squad, adding depth on the offensive line.

“Today, just happened,” Carroll confirmed to media members on Wednesday when asked about Kendricks and the injured reserve. “You’re gonna see Chad Wheeler’s gonna come up.”

Kendricks started 14 games for the Seahawks in 2019, recording 71 combined tackles, four passes defended, three sacks and one interception, lining up as the team’s SAM linebacker.

However, a torn ACL suffered in Seattle’s regular season finale against the 49ers forced the team to turn to rookie Cody Barton, who started his third career NFL game on Sunday against the Eagles and recorded five combined tackles, one sack and two passes defended.

Barton will be counted on again on Sunday against Green Bay, although the Packers reliance on Davante Adams out of the slot could push Seattle into more nickel packages.

Wheeler has been a member of Seattle’s practice squad for most of the year. The tackle has appeared in 27 NFL games, making 19 starts, all with the New York Giants.

His experience as a starter and familiarity with coach Mike Solari should allow him to step in and contribute right away, making him an important depth option.

Seattle could be without both Duane Brown and Mike Iupati again on Sunday, which pushes both Jamarco Jones and George Fant into starting roles and leaves the team with just Wheeler as depth at either tackle spot.

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