Can a Battered Seahawks Defense Stop the Jaguars?
Through five weeks, the Seahawks’ defense has been their best unit in years. Offensive mistakes have cost them two games, but the defense has remained solid throughout. A pass rush led by two monstrous defensive tackles in Byron Murphy II and Leonard Williams pressures QBs, allowing a young and fast secondary to feast. Week Six could be a test of how strong this defense really is, as the Seahawks could potentially be without three of their top defensive playmakers. Devon Witherspoon and Tariq Woolen, the team's top two cornerbacks, were limited participants in Friday’s practice and are doubtful for Sunday. Seattle may also be down a starting safety, with Julian Love also being listed as doubtful.
Witherspoon is still recovering from a knee injury that has kept him out of action since Week Two. The star corner has been Seattle’s rock since being drafted fifth overall in 2023, making the Pro Bowl in both years and establishing himself as CB1. Woolen is another major piece of the Seahawks defense, and despite rumors of him being traded, he has continued to perform. With both these corners potentially out, Seattle will look to Josh Jobe and Nehemiah Pritchett to cover Travis Hunter and Brian Thomas Jr. While both Jobe and Pritchett have shown promise this year, they are still not at the level of Woolen and Witherspoon. With the lack of corner depth, Seahawks fans could potentially see a familiar face in Shaquill Griffin, who has been on the active roster since Sept. 11th.
While cornerback is where Seattle is hurting the most, safety could be an issue on Sunday as well. Love is still dealing with a hamstring injury that has hampered him all year, keeping him out of Week Three and Five’s games. Love is the team’s starting free safety, and he brings a veteran presence to the secondary, having been in the league since 2019. In Love’s absence in Week Five, Seattle trotted out former undrafted free agent Ty Okada to fill in. Okada played with high energy and made a few big tackles, but he struggled mightily in coverage. Okada’s struggles led to Emeka Egbuka torching the secondary, and with Love out, the Seahawks could potentially see the same thing happen with Brian Thomas Jr.
