Tag: Riq Woolen

Riq Woolen set NFL speed benchmark for 2023 on Devon Witherspoon pick-six

Woolen’s efforts on the game-changing play should not be overlooked.

Seattle Seahawks rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon is playing like a man on a mission to prove he was more than worthy of being the No. 5 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. So far, the young man is making an indisputable case in the affirmative.

Witherspoon was easily the best player on the field for either team during “Monday Night Football” against the New York Giants. His pick-six not only denied the Giants a crucial score but gave the Seahawks an insurmountable lead.

But Witherspoon’s score might not have happened without fellow CB Riq Woolen blocking for him on his way to pay dirt. While Witherspoon is certainly getting the praise, we should not overlook Woolen’s efforts. In fact, Woolen turned on the jets in a remarkable way, running faster than any other player in the NFL on a play from scrimmage this season.

The Seahawks have something very special brewing in their secondary. With Woolen and Witherspoon, opposing quarterbacks are going to have to be extra careful with where they throw the football.

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Inactives for Seahawks vs. Panthers: Who’s sitting out for Week 3

See who is not going to see action today

The Seattle Seahawks are getting ready for their Week 3 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Seattle (1-1), will look to move above .500 for the first time this year. Unfortunately, they are still going to be without a few key impact players.

Left tackle Charles Cross was already ruled out on Friday, but he won’t be the only lineman out. Guard Phil Haynes will also leave a depleted Seahawks offensive line even more shorthanded. Despite a week of practice, safety Jamal Adams is still not ready to be back.

As for the Panthers, as expected, rookie quarterback Bryce Young will not suit up.

The full inactives list for both teams is below:

Seahawks Inactives:

  • CB Coby Bryant
  • CB Riq Woolen
  • G Phil Haynes
  • T McClendon Curtis
  • T Charles Cross
  • TE Will Dissly
  • S Jamal Adams

Panthers Inactives: 

  • RB Raheem Blackshear
  • QB Bryce Young
  • S Jammie Robinson
  • CB Sam Webb
  • OLB DJ Johnson
  • OT David Sharpe

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Brian Baldinger breaks down Tre Brown’s big game against Lions

Watch NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger break down Big Play Tre’s awesome performance from Week 2.

Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown missed a lot of time over the last two seasons due to injuries, but he’s now getting a chance to shine. Thanks to a shoulder injury to Pro Bowler Riq Woolen, Brown has been thurst into the starting spotlight opposite the team’s No. 5 overall draft pick, Devon Witherspoon. So far, so good. Brown absolutely balled out in last week’s win over the Lions in every way possible, earning the highest defensive grade on the team after posting a pick-six, a forced fumble and a sack.

Watch NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger break down Big Play Tre’s awesome performance from Week 2.

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Here’s a review of all the reports this week concerning the Seahawks.

The Seattle Seahawks have been extremely busy over the last couple of days based on what we’ve read from NFL reporters around the league. While the team hasn’t officially announced any of them yet, there are now at least five moves coming – with heavy speculation about one more to come.

The rumors concern second-year cornerback Riq Woolen, who injured his shoulder in Sunday’s overtime win over the Detroit Lions. While head coach Pete Carroll told reporters a few days ago that Woolen will be “OK”, that’s Pete-Carroll code for likely to miss the next four or five weeks due to a significant injury that requires surgery. Hopefully that’s not the case this time, but we’ll find out one way or another soon.

Here’s a review of all the reports this week concerning the Seahawks.

Pete Carroll on shoulder injury for Riq Woolen: ‘He’ll be OK’

head coach Pete Carroll sounded unconcerned about the severity of Woolen’s injury.

The Seahawks got away with a win, but they did not come out of their Week 2 matchup with the Lions unscathed. Seattle suffered at least two injuries during the game. Wide receiver DK Metcalf took a shot to the ribs as he made a superb catch at the one-yard line. He left the field and was listed as questionable, but he did eventually return to the game.

Cornerback Riq Woolen also went down – going down in the second quarter with what the team called a chest injury. Woolen was also listed as questionable but he did not return. Tre Brown took his place at right cornerback the rest of the way, securing a clutch pick-six at one point.

After the game, head coach Pete Carroll sounded unconcerned about the severity of Woolen’s now-shoulder injury, telling reporters he’d be OK.

Then again, we can’t necessarily take what Carroll says about injuries at face value. Sometimes when he downplays an injury the player might miss the next seven weeks after undergoing surgery. When Carroll does express concern, they might only miss three days of practice.

Time will tell which is the case for Woolen.

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DK Metcalf and Riq Woolen both questionable to return vs. Lions

This time, the two best athletes on the roster have gotten hurt.

The game is still very much up for grabs, but the Seahawks’ luck with injuries continues to trend in the wrong direction. This time, the two best athletes on the roster have gotten hurt. We’re early in the second quarter of a 7-7 game against the Lions, and both wide receiver DK Metcalf and cornerback Riq Woolen have suffered injuries.

First, Metcalf got sandwiched between two Detroit defenders at the goal line after a brilliant catch and took a shot to the ribs. Later, Metcalf was spotted heading to the locker room as Tyler Lockett went over to check on him.

Metcalf is now listed as questionable to return.

Pro Bowl cornerback Riq Woolen is also dealing with an upper body injury of his own. Woolen is in the blue medical tent getting evaluated and has also been listed as questionable to return. They’re calling it a chest injury.

If that wasn’t bad enough, Seattle’s pass rush has come out flat yet again and Jared Goff looks to be on pace for a big game.

More as it comes.

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Riq Woolen may be the answer for Seahawks against Amon-Ra St. Brown

Perhaps this week he can match-up with St. Brown slow him down.

The high-powered Detroit Lions offense will be looking to scorch the Seattle Seahawks in the passing game this week, so stopping star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown needs to be defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt’s primary agenda this weekend.

St. Brown had a field day in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs, totaling 71 yards and one touchdown. However, the Seahawks have something KC doesn’t in Pro Bowl cornerback Riq Woolen. Perhaps this week he can matchup with St. Brown and slow him down.

Seattle’s social team decided to recollect Woolen’s interception against the Lions last season earlier this week on Instagram. Perhaps deploying Woolen as the primary defender on St. Brown will help the Seahawks defense spend less time on the field this Sunday.

(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Schematically, Seattle needs to abandon that soft cover 2 zone we saw against the Los Angeles Rams and revert to more man coverage with blitzing.

Woolen and other key defenders will also have to step up, as Seattle’s defense was absolutely null and void in Week 1 and heading into Week 2 linebacker Bobby Wagner has been vocal about increased expectations. 

 
 
 
 
 
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Despite Detroit’s upset victory over the reigning champs, the Lions weren’t particularly great on third-down (5/15) last week. Maybe this week the Seahawks will make a statement and pull off an upset of their own.

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Riq Woolen named among top 25 most intriguing NFL players in 2023

Seahawks defensive back Riq Woolen will enter his second season in the NFL with high-acclaim and rightfully so.

Seattle Seahawks defensive back Riq Woolen will enter his second season in the NFL with high-acclaim and rightfully so. Earlier this week, editors at The Athletic named Woolen one of the top 25 most intriguing NFL players to watch for in 2023 with sentiments like the one below.

“Woolen is immensely talented and versatile and boasts great smarts and anticipation skills.” via. Mike Jones The Athletic

Woolen’s six interception, three forced fumbles, and one touchdown rookie-season has Seahawks fans eagerly anticipating the sequel. With Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp ruled out for Week 1, Woolen will likely line up across from Van Jefferson, Demarcus Robinson, or other backups.

Not only will the Rams need to to overcome feverish Seahawks fans at Lumen Field in week 1, they’ll have to be cautious when throwing in the direction of one of the NFL’s best ball hawks in Woolen.

(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

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On the other side of the ball, the biggest change is at cornerback.

The Seahawks have released their first (for real) depth chart of the 2023 season ahead of Sunday’s home game against the Rams. This new version is very much the same as the one the team revealed at the start of the preseason. However, there are a couple notable differences.

For one thing, Will Dissly is no longer alone at the top of the depth chart at tight end. He and Noah Fant are now occupying the same No. 1 spot at that position. On the other side of the ball, the biggest change is at cornerback, where Tre Brown is now listed as the starter on the left boundary as opposed to Mike Jackson.

Brown has missed much of the last two seasons (he’s only appeared in 11 games total) due to injuries. However, he performed well during the preseason – particularly in coverage – as Jackson struggled.

Fans should expect to see opposing quarterbacks go after Brown a lot as they learn to avoid the athletic ball hawk Pro Bowler on the other side in Riq Woolen. If Brown doesn’t work out Seattle still has plenty of depth at left cornerback and either Jackson or Devon Witherspoon might end up taking over at that spot during the season.

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Head coach Pete Carroll gave some injury updates after practice.

The Seattle Seahawks held another training camp practice yesterday, two days removed from their first preseason game of the year, a 24-13 victory over the non-division rival Minnesota Vikings.

Head coach Pete Carroll gave some injury updates after practice. Here’s what we learned plus a few takeaways from the beat reporters.