After being listed as questionable on Friday's final injury report, the Seattle Seahawks downgraded linebacker Jordyn Brooks to out against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday due to a lingering ankle injury.
While Brooks has played and started all 15 games for Seattle thus far, the fourth-year linebacker has been hampered by an ankle sprain he has played through for several weeks, including coming off the field hobbling after covering a deep ball in a Week 15 win over Philadelphia. Last Sunday, he twisted the ankle again in the first quarter of a 20-17 win over Tennessee and did not return after being helped off the field as Devin Bush replaced him for the remainder of the game.
Sitting out Wednesday and Thursday's practice, Brooks participated in limited fashion for the Seahawks on Friday, creating a bit more optimism about his chances for being available on Sunday. But coach Pete Carroll indicated the team would need to see how he responded to the work and based on Saturday's news, they clearly felt he wasn't going to be ready to go.
With Brooks sidelined for at least one week, Seattle will turn to Bush, who will square off against his former team in his second start of the season. The former Michigan star originally was selected by Pittsburgh in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft and started 48 games in four seasons with the franchise before coming to the Pacific Northwest as a free agent in March.
Throughout the week, Carroll has spent time talking to Bush to make sure the player doesn't let the emotions of the matchup impact his preparation and performance. Heading towards Sunday, he has no concerns about him being ready to play well in Brooks' absence with a level head.
"He’s doing well," Carroll said on Friday. "We fronted it up and talked about it, and his teammates are giving him a hard time about handling it really well and making sure he does and all that, so we’re all supporting him. It’s those kinds of little things for a person, depends on who the guy is and all, but I think he’s going to handle it really well, and he’s looking forward to playing a good football game.”
To add extra depth at linebacker, the Seahawks signed undrafted rookie Patrick O'Connell to the 53-man roster as part of a flurry of moves on Saturday, including placing safety Jamal Adams and receiver Dee Eskridge on injured reserve. The former Montana standout dressed in a Week 14 loss to the 49ers and has yet to record any official regular season statistics.
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