While the Seattle Seahawks will be at full strength at linebacker against the Arizona Cardinals, they will be missing a crucial piece along the defensive line as they try to fight for a playoff spot in Sunday's season finale.
After missing practice all week with a knee bruise, Seattle will be without defensive tackle Jarran Reed, who currently ranks second on the team with seven sacks and has been one of the team's few consistent bright spots on defense. He received a questionable designation on Friday's final injury report and coach Pete Carroll called him a game-time decision.
Reed's absence further depletes a defensive line that will also not have the services of veteran Mario Edwards, who will miss his second straight game with a knee injury. To help add insurance in the trenches, the Seahawks promoted defensive tackles Matt Gotel and Austin Faoliu from the practice squad on Saturday and both will be in uniform for Sunday's game.
In the good news department, after being limited in practice on Wednesday and Friday, Seattle will welcome back linebacker Jordyn Brooks, who sat out last weekend's loss to Pittsburgh with an ankle sprain. Coach Pete Carroll seemed optimistic about his chances of playing in the finale when speaking with reporters and his presence should help defend Arizona's sixth-ranked rushing attack.
“He practiced well today. Wednesday and Friday we took him out there, and he did fine," Carroll said of Brooks.
As already announced on Friday, the Seahawks will be short-handed along the offensive line with tackle Abraham Lucas sidelined by a troublesome knee. After replacing him for the second half of last week's loss, Stone Forsythe will receive the start across from Charles Cross.
Behind Forsythe, Seattle won't have veteran Jason Peters available for depth purposes due to a plantar fasciitis injury. With him and Lucas both out, third-year lineman Jake Curhan and rookie McClendon Curtis will suit up as backups capable of playing both tackle and guard in a pinch.
Capping of the Seahawks' inactives for Sunday's finale, running back Kenny McIntosh won't play with a thumb injury and rookie tackle Raiqwon O'Neal will be sidelined as a healthy scratch.
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