Opposing QBs are avoiding Seahawks CB Riq Woolen

Opposing QBs are avoiding Seahawks CB Riq Woolen

The Seattle Seahawks missed cornerback Riq Woolen in their Week 6 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers. Woolen is already officially questionable for Sunday’s Week 7 showdown with the Atlanta Falcons due to his ongoing ankle injury. When on the field, opposing quarterbacks have avoided Seattle’s No.1 cornerback.

Woolen has been targeted on just 9.6% of his coverage snaps this season, according to data collected by Pro Football Focus. That’s tied with Jalen Ramsey for the third-lowest rate in the entire league, among cornerbacks who have played 100 coverage snaps. Only Marshon Lattimore (7.6%) and Pat Surtain II (9.4%) have been targeted fewer.

PFF has targeted Woolen with allowing just six receptions on 13 targets this season. That means the Pro Bowl cornerback is forfeiting a completion percentage under 50 percent. Woolen is also allowing just 8.0 yards per catch, and opposing passer rating of 49.5 when target. No wonder quarterbacks are looking elsewhere.

The advanced metrics are impressive. Woolen has allowed 48 receiving yards all season long, and the longest reception successfully completed in his direction gained just 10 yards. Woolen has been assigned blame for allowing one receiving touchdown. The former UTSA standout has more pass breakups (2) than TDs allowed.

Hopefully Woolen is cleared for Sunday’s game versus the Falcons. Quarterback Kirk Cousins is playing well, and Drake London is an occasionally dominant receiver on the boundary. Woolen would surely be tasked with covering London if he manages to suit up.

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Seahawks need Artie Burns to step up vs. 49ers on TNF

Seahawks need Artie Burns to step up vs. 49ers on TNF

The Seattle Seahawks could be without superstar cornerback Riq Woolen against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night Football. Woolen missed Tuesday’s practice with an ankle injury designation. It was his second consecutive missed practice, though it’s worth noting Monday’s session was simply a walk through.

Woolen exited Sunday’s defeat to the New York Giants after 49 snaps with that ankle injury. Had Woolen played the entire contest, he’d likely be Seattle’s most-snapped cornerback this season. He now trails Devon Witherspoon by 21 snaps for that achievement. That’s how critical Seattle’s premier cover-man is to Mike Macdonald’s defense.

With Woolen trending on the wrong side of questionable, Macdonald and defensive coordinator Aden Durde are tasked with coming up with solutions. If Woolen doesn’t play, the likeliest scenario sees the Seahawks playing Witherspoon and Tre Brown on the outside with veteran corner Artie Burns in the slot. Burns is currently on the practice squad, but is expected to be promoted to the 53 man roster, or can be used as a standard game-day elevation.

Witherspoon has typically played slot corner this season, but kicking him outside allows the Seahawks to get the more experienced Burns into the lineup. The alternative would be to start fifth-round rookie cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett. That would be risky against a 49ers offense that features Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel at receiver, hence why promoting Burns makes more sense.

Burns totaled more than 200 defensive snaps for the Seahawks last season. Pro Football Focus assigned him a stellar coverage grade of 66.6. He allowed a passer rating under 100, and forfeited just 9.6 yards per reception. Burns is Seattle’s best answer to Woolen’s injury in a critical NFC West primetime showdown.

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Tariq Woolen shares video of himself running: ‘Knee is getting right’

By the looks of things Woolen is feeling and moving much better.

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Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen suffered a non-contact knee injury during minicamp which required surgery. However, he is expected to be back in time for training camp, which begins in about two weeks.

By the looks of things Woolen is feeling and moving much better. Yesterday Woolen shared a video on his Instagram account of himself running a 40-yard dash, including a tag that said his knee is getting right. Watch.

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