As expected based on pessimistic updates from coach Pete Carroll earlier in the week, the Seattle Seahawks will be without ailing right tackle Abraham Lucas as they battle for a playoff spot in their season finale against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
Lucas, who already missed 10 games earlier in the season on injured reserve with a sore knee, aggravated the injury late in the first half in last week's 30-23 loss to the Steelers. The Seahawks quickly downgraded him to out after halftime and Stone Forsythe replaced him the lineup for the final two quarters.
“Abe’s knee is really bothering him, and it’s going to be hard for Abe," Carroll said on Wednesday. "We don’t have any designations on it, but he just couldn’t find the power. He just got worn down a little bit in the time he’s played over the last month, and he couldn’t find it in this game, so we had to get him out of there.”
With Lucas out, Seattle will likely turn to Forsythe as his replacement once again, though there is a chance veteran Jason Peters could be available after sitting out last weekend with plantar fasciitis. The team listed him as questionable on Friday's final injury report. Third-year tackle Jake Curhan also started four games earlier this season at right tackle and could be an option if necessary.
Away from Lucas, the Seahawks will be without defensive end Mario Edwards for a second straight game due to a knee injury. He didn't practice on Wednesday and Thursday, a clear sign he hadn't made enough progress to be able to return to game action. Additionally, Jarran Reed received a questionable designation with his own knee issue, potentially putting his status up in the air for Sunday.
Without Edwards and/or Reed, Myles Adams will suit up again as a rotational reserve, while Seattle could elevate Austin Faoliu for a second straight week off the practice squad for additional depth in the trenches.
The Seahawks also ruled out running back Kenny McIntosh and guard Phil Haynes, who returned to practice this week off of injured reserve, as each continues to deal with toe injuries. Haynes wasn't added to the 53-man roster, so the team won't have to make any moves with him being inactive.
Rounding out Seattle's final injury report, linebacker Jordyn Brooks received a questionable designation due to an ankle sprain. The fourth-year defender missed last week's game and after practicing in limited fashion on Wednesday, he was held out on Thursday, leaving his status for the finale uncertain.
If Brooks isn't able to play, the Seahawks will turn to veteran Devin Bush as his replacement alongside Bobby Wagner. The former Michigan standout registered 17 tackles and a tackle for loss starting against the Steelers in Week 17.
As for McIntosh, his deactivation ensures he will not have a single offensive snap in his rookie season. The seventh-round pick out of Georgia missed most of training camp and the first eight games of the regular season recovering from a sprained knee and dressed for only three games upon his return in November, logging a grand total of 13 special teams snaps.
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