Tag: Leonard Williams

Seahawks will be missing the following crucial pieces vs. Lions

Seahawks will be missing the following crucial pieces vs. Lions

The Seattle Seahawks face a resume-defining game on Monday night when they face the Detroit Lions. The undefeated Seahawks have enjoyed a soft schedule thus far, but Jared Goff and the Lions will offer a significantly stiffer test. Mike Macdonald’s squad will unfortunately be missing several standout players via injury, including the following:

Abe Lucas

Seahawks right tackle Abe Lucas remains on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. His return to play timeline remains unknown. Lucas’ injury became more front-facing for the Seahawks once another injury occurred across the offensive line.

George Fant

George Fant was acquired as insurance at right tackle by John Schneider. Fant has missed several games and will continue being sidelined on Monday with a hamstring injury. He’s ineligible to return until Week 7 against the Atlanta Falcons. Stone Forsythe will continue starting in his place.

Boye Mafe

Boye Mafe initially injured his knee in the Week 2 victory over the New England Patriots. Mafe participated against the Miami Dolphins the following week and has recorded a sack in every single contest. The Seahawks are now taking a cautious approach with their ascending pass rusher.

Uchenna Nwosu

Uchenna Nwosu suffered a multi-week knee injury in the preseason finale. The Seahawks opted against placing him on IR because the initial belief was he’d return against the Lions on Monday night. That unfortunately didn’t come to fruition, but Macdonald possesses faith that Nwosu will return against the New York Giants next weekend.

Leonard Williams

Leonard Williams exited the victory over the Miami Dolphins with a rib injury. Williams consistently didn’t practice leading up to Monday’s primetime showdown. The Lions will be without Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow. It’s a shame the Seahawks may fail to take advantage of his absence.

Byron Murphy II

Rookie defensive tackle Byron Murphy II is nursing a hamstring injury. The Seahawks will rely on Jarran Reed and Johnathan Hankins in his absence. Quinton Bohanna is a possible practice squad call up.

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Seahawks rule Byron Murphy and Leonard Williams OUT for MNF, Kenneth Walker will play

Seahawks rule Byron Murphy and Leonard Williams OUT for MNF, Kenneth Walker will play

The Seattle Seahawks will face their biggest challenge of the season on Monday night when they take on the Detroit Lions. Seattle is 3-0, but they’ve faced the likes of Bo Nix, Jacoby Brissett, Skylar Thompson and Tim Boyle to start the season. The Lions, led by Jared Goff and Co., will prove to be a considerably more difficult opponent.

Unfortunately, the Seahawks defense will be without four of their best players along the defensive front. Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy, Boye Mafe, and Uchenna Nwosu have all been ruled OUT for Monday. Detroit will be without their All-Pro center Frank Ragnow, but without Williams and Murphy, the Seahawks won’t have their best players to take advantage of the Lions’ potential weakness up front.

The silver lining is Seattle has defeated Detroit in the last three meetings without either Williams or Murphy, but not having them is going to be a legitimate blow to this defense.

Head coach Mike Macdonald said Boye Mafe hurt his knee against the Patriots in Week 2, but says it’s “nothing major.” It would appear Seattle is being cautious with one of their best pass rushers. The season is a marathon, not a sprint to be decided in Week 4.

The good news is running back Kenneth Walker III is going to play in his first game since Week 1. The Seahawks do not have him listed on the injury report, and Macdonald confirmed it as much himself on Saturday.

Linebacker Jerome Baker, who missed Week 3 vs. his former team in the Dolphins, is listed as QUESTIONABLE. Given how depleted Seattle’s defense is, hopefully Baker will be good to go.

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Seahawks Week 4 injury report: Kenneth Walker limited participant at practice

Seahawks Week 4 injury report: Kenneth Walker limited participant at practice

The Seattle Seahawks had a walkthrough practice on Friday, as they gear up to take on the Detroit Lions for a Monday Night Football showdown. Walkthoughs are not a typical practice, and as such, the injury report is merely a projection of what it would have looked like had the Seahawks done a full practice.

The list is rather lengthy, with one improvement. Anthony Bradford went from being a non-participant to a full participant. Fortunately, Kenneth Walker III was listed as limited as well, showing further signs he could be ready for Monday night.

The full injury report can be seen below.

Did Not Participate:

  • LB Jerome Baker – Hamstring
  • LB Boye Mafe – Knee
  • DE Leonard Williams – Ribs
  • DT Byron Murphy II – Hamstring
  • LB Uchenna Nwosu – Knee

Limited Participation:

  • TE Noah Fant – Toe
  • RB Kenneth Walker III – Oblique
  • TE Pharaoh Brown – Foot
  • LB Tyrel Dodson – Shoulder
  • NT Jonathan Hankins – Calf

Full Participation:

  • WR Tyler Lockett – Thigh
  • G Anthony Bradford – Knee
  • G Laken Tomlinson – Ankle
  • LB Derick Hall – Hip
  • WR Jake Bobo – Knee
  • WR DK Metcalf – Hand
  • TE Brady Russell – Shoulder
  • RB Kenny McIntosh – Hand
  • S K’Von Wallace – Shoulder

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Seahawks bring DT Quinton Bohanna back to the practice squad

Seahawks sign DT Quinton Bohanna back to the practice squad

The ever-revolving door for the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad continues. On Friday, it was announced the Seahawks were re-signing defensive tackle Quinton Bohanna to their practice squad. Bohanna was originally signed in early September, but was released last week.

Now, Bohanna is back in the Seattle fold to help give the organization more depth at defensive tackle. Unfortunately, it seems as if the Seahawks might need it. In Week 3 against the Miami Dolphins, Seattle lost both Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II to injuries. Both players were non-participants in Thursday’s practice.

At this point, we do not know the extent to their injuries, but the fact the Seahawks are making moves to bring in players at their position likely does not bode well. The good news is with the game being on Monday, Williams and Murphy have an extra day to rest and prepare.

However, if neither play, it will be a considerable downgrade for a defensive line that has been outright suffocating so far this year.

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Seahawks Week 4 injury report: Byron Murphy and Leonard Williams DNP

Seahawks Week 4 injury report: Byron Murphy and Leonard Williams DNP

The Seattle Seahawks are gearing up to head back to the Motor City for a third-straight year to face the Detroit Lions. Unfortunately, injuries for both teams are starting to become a major storyline. Even worse for the Seahawks, it’s a hit for two of their biggest (literally) defenders.

In Week 3,  both Byron Murphy II and Leonard Williams left the game early. Williams had a rib injury, and Murphy hurt his hamstring. There is a report from Jeremy Fowler of ESPN suggesting Murphy could miss time as a result. Both players did not participate in practice.

The good news is running back Kenneth Walker III did take the field as a limited participant! It was his first practice since injuring his oblique in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos.

The full injury report can be seen below.

Did Not Participate:

  • G Anthony Bradford – Knee
  • LB Jerome Baker – Hamstring
  • LB Boye Mafe – Knee
  • DE Leonard Williams – Ribs
  • DT Byron Murphy II – Hamstring
  • LB Uchenna Nwosu – Knee

Limited Participation:

  • TE Noah Fant – Toe
  • RB Kenneth Walker III – Oblique
  • G Laken Tomlinson – Ankle
  • TE Pharaoh Brown – Foot
  • LB Derick Hall – Hip
  • NT Jonathan Hankins – Calf

Full Participation:

  • WR Tyler Lockett – Thigh
  • WR Jake Bobo – Knee
  • WR DK Metcalf – Hand
  • TE Brady Russell – Shoulder
  • RB Kenny McIntosh – Hand
  • LB Tyrel Dodson
  • S K’Von Wallace

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Seahawks pass rush has accumulated 50 more pressures than these 2 teams

Seahawks pass rush has accumulated 50 more pressures than these 2 teams

The Seattle Seahawks defense was downright dominant in Sunday’s blowout 24-3 Week 3 victory over the Miami Dolphins. Mike Macdonald’s pass rush accumulated six total sacks. They sacked Skylar Thompson on five occasions, and Tim Boyle, who replaced Thompson due to injury, once.

Only four teams have racked up more sacks than Seattle’s 11. Defensive coordinator Aden Durde watched his defense collect 21 total pressures against Miami’s backup quarterbacks. Consistently getting into the backfield completely derailed Miami’s offensive game plan.

Macdonald’s defense has totaled 77 total pressures thus far this season. Boye Mafe leads the defense in pressures with 17, according to Pro Football Focus. Derick Hall ranks second with 12, and Leonard Williams is the third defender with double-digit pressures (11).

Seattle’s defense has been so dominant that they’ve gathered 50 more pressures than the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals, according to Brett Kollmann. Macdonald and general manager John Schneider will especially appreciate that their NFC West rival Cardinals are so much worse at rushing the passer.

https://twitter.com/BrettKollmann/status/1838258396996464689

Macdonald has brought a creative defensive scheme to the Seahawks that’s allowing their pass rushers to apply constant pressure on quarterbacks. Macdonald oversaw a Baltimore Ravens defense last season that led the league in sacks with 60. Perhaps the Seahawks will threaten to post a league-leading amount of QB takedowns this season.

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Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald talks injuries to Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy II

Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald talks injuries to Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy II

The Seattle Seahawks improved to a perfect 3-0 following Sunday’s dominant 24-3 Week 3 victory over the Miami Dolphins. It was nearly a perfect afternoon for the Seahawks, though a handful of injuries put a minor damper on the outcome. Both Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II were lost to injury.

Williams exited the game with an unknown injury to his midsection. Murphy suffered a hamstring injury. Head coach Mike Macdonald offered updates on both injuries during his post-game presser.

“I think we got a picture of it, but I don’t know what the results of that are,” Macdonald said about Williams’ injury. “We’ll find out here in the next couple of days.” The severity of Murphy’s injury remains unknown, but an update could arrive shortly.

Williams eventually returned to the sidelines with his helmet on, observing the remainder of the victory from right behind the coaching staff. Murphy went into the locker room with his injury. He received treatment for a hamstring injury.

Williams has been credited with six tackles, eight quarterback hits, 1.5 sacks, and 11 pressures in three games, per Pro Football Focus. Murphy has been credited with four solo tackles, one sack, six QB hurries, and seven pressures. Losing either one, let alone both, would represent a significant blow to Macdonald’s defensive line.

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Leonard Williams loves being a Seahawk

Leonard Williams loves being a Seahawk

The Seattle Seahawks have quietly constructed a dominant defensive line. After years of the men up front being pushed around by opponents, Seattle finally pushed back. In Week 1 against the Broncos, all of Denver’s running backs were held to only 64 yards as a team.

This is in part due to the excellent play from rookie Byron Murphy II and veteran Leonard Williams. Seattle acquired Williams last year from the New York Giants, and kept him by extending him to a three-year deal worth $64.5 million dollar contract. The Seahawks were clearly happy with the kind of player they brought in, and it seems the feeling is mutual.

Prior to Seattle’s victory over the Broncos – a game where the defense ending up shining brightest – Williams was being asked pregame by CBS’ sideline reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala about the “magic” of playing in Lumen Field as a defensive player. Williams’ answer will surely bring a smile to the faces of 12’s everywhere.

“Honestly this is the most beautiful place — the most special place to play in the world, in my opinion.” Williams proudly proclaimed. “I got here in the middle of the season last year, and my very first home game I was like ‘wow, this is what football’s about, right here!’ It’s only pregame right now and it’s already loud in here. On the defense sometimes you gotta really be sure of what you’re communicating because you can barely hear the man right next to you. I love it here!” 

Kinkhabwala concluded her segment with Williams by mentioning the noise of Lumen Field once more, but in relation to what rookie quarterback Bo Nix will face. Williams responded with “that’s why it’s called the 12th Man, we’re gonna get in his head with the crowd.” 

The 12th Man certainly brought it, as well as the defense. Nix struggled all game long, throwing for only 138 yards on 42 attempts with no touchdown passes and two interceptions. Meanwhile, the Seahawks’ correct decision to re-sign Williams is already paying off. Williams recorded four quarterback hits in the game to help make life miserable for Nix.

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Seahawks Top 10 salary cap hits

Seahawks Top 10 salary cap hits

The Seattle Seahawks are not totally in a pickle when it comes to finances, but they are getting close. Recently, I wrote about how the Seahawks were listed as a top landing spot for Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon should New England decide to move on from their pass rush specialist. However, I mentioned the move would be unlikely due to Seattle’s salary cap constraints.

Taking a closer look at the Seahawks situation, they do not have a ton of wiggle room when it comes to spending. Right now, they have only $8,488,020 in cap space, per Over The Cap. At the moment the only teams with less cap space than Seattle are the Broncos, Jets, Panthers, Ravens and Falcons.

How is the used up cap space being distributed for the Seahawks? Currently, here are the Top 10 players taking up most of the cap for Seattle.

Geno Smith taking up the most makes sense. He is the quarterback, and while $26 million is nothing to scoff at, by NFL standards is quite a bargain when it comes to starters. DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, even with his recent new contract, still make sense given how vital they are to this offense.

Where things start to get a little sticky is when it comes to Dre’Mont Jones. Jones, entering into year two of his three-year, $51.5 million dollar contract, is making a healthy chunk of change. Unfortunately, his play on the field last season did not really justify such a lofty investment. Hopefully, head coach Mike Macdonald is able to fully utilize Jones in the way we all hoped he would become.

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Seahawks have 2 of PFF’s top 32 interior defensive linemen for 2024

At the very least, they’ve got two strong pieces to build around.

On paper the Seattle Seahawks have a strong wide receiver corps, running back room and cornerback group. One big factor that’s yet to be determined is how good their interior defensive line unit ends up being after a couple of massive investments this offseason.

First, the team signed Leonard Williams to a massive new contract, worth $64.5 million over the next three years. Later, the Seahawks used their first-round draft pick to take Byron Murphy II out of Texas. Together, these two moves should make Seattle’s iDL group one of the best in the league. At the very least, they’ve got two strong pieces to build around.

According to Pro Football Focus, they’re two of the top 32 iDL in the NFl this year. Williams came in at No. 17 on their list.

“Versatility has always been a hallmark of Williams’ play in the NFL, and that versatility may be highlighted better than ever before in new head coach Mike Macdonald’s defense. Williams amassed 52 quarterback pressures last season across two different teams, and he graded well across all facets.”

And later on Murphy II was No. 25:

“Murphy has the profile to make an immediate impact in the NFL. With a prototypical pass-rushing skill set, he also has the strength that meant he was often lining up at nose tackle in Texas over 360-pound T’Vondre Sweat. Murphy had an elite pass-rush win rate of 19.6% last season and a 91.9 PFF pass-rushing grade against true pass sets.”

Nose tackle Jarran Reed is also coming off a career-best year as a pass rusher and the team also signed Johnathan Hankins, who should make an excellent backup if nothing else. All together, this is a really deep group. ESPN has Seattle’s interior defensive line unit ranked No. 2 in the NFL going into 2024.

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