FRIDAY INJURY REPORT
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
–OUT: DE Rasheem Green (ankle), LB K.J. Wright (knee)
–DOUBTFUL: C Ethan Pocic (ankle), RB C.J. Prosise (abdomen)
–QUESTIONABLE: WR Doug Baldwin (knee), RB Chris Carson (hip), S Delano Hill (hamstring), DE Dion Jordan (hip)
ARIZONA CARDINALS
–QUESTIONABLE: WR Larry Fitzgerald (hamstring), DT Robert Nkemdiche (knee), DT Corey Peters (elbow), DT Olsen Pierre (toe), T Andre Smith (elbow)
PLAYER NOTES
–RB Rashaad Penny has been a monumental disappointment to start his NFL career, rushing 20 times for only 43 yards in three games. But head coach Pete Carroll believes he’s “ready to bust out” and he could see an increased role in Arizona after only logging three carries versus Dallas.
–DE Branden Jackson: With Dion Jordan’s status up in the air following his latest injury, Seattle promoted Jackson from the practice squad to bolster depth along the defensive line. In a reserve role last season, he saw snaps at both defensive end and defensive tackle and finished with 11 tackles and 0.5 sacks.
–LB Mychal Kendricks: Still awaiting a verdict after appealing a suspension for insider trading charges, the Seahawks will have Kendricks available to play against the Cardinals. The veteran has been highly productive in two games replacing injured linebacker K.J. Wright, racking up nine tackles and 2.0 sacks.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: SS Bradley McDougald. After losing perennial Pro Bowl S Kam Chancellor to retirement and releasing CB Richard Sherman in the offseason, Seattle’s diminished star power in the secondary was supposed to signal the end of the “Legion of Boom.” But even with Earl Thomas playing angry over his contract situation, the Seahawks revamped secondary doesn’t look much different on the field thanks to the dazzling performance of McDougald. Replacing Chancellor at the strong safety position, the 27-year old defender now looks like a bargain after signing a three-year deal in March, as he’s recorded 17 tackles and two interceptions during the first three weeks of the season. He made a sensational play punching the football out of Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott’s hands to force a pivotal turnover in last week’s victory and has earned every penny of his new contract thus far.
GAME PLAN: Facing off against a Cardinals defense that ranks 29th versus the run through three games, don’t expect Seattle’s game plan to be altered much this week. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer will give a heavy dose of Carson and Penny on the ground while mixing in play action passes and quick passing concepts to mitigate Jones and Arizona’s stable of pass rushers. This may also be the week where the Seahawks start to mix in some designed runs for Russell Wilson, as the team has avoided using read-option plays to this point. Seattle will have to pick and choose when it decides to take shots downfield, as Arizona has surrendered 8.5 yards per pass attempt but also ranks in the top half of the league in quarterback sacks. As Carroll noted, coaching changes have led to scheme alterations, but the Cardinals are still very aggressive defensively and will bring extra pressure with high frequency.
As Carroll also mentioned, the Seahawks don’t know much about Rosen as an NFL quarterback due to limited snaps. He didn’t run the ball much at UCLA, but he’s still athletic enough to extend plays and maneuver outside of the pocket. Seattle will scheme to put pressure on him early and still must be cognizant of his ability to create while under duress. As was the case against Dallas a week ago, slowing down running back David Johnson will take top precedence, as he may be the best dual-threat back in the league when healthy. Even if bottled up as a runner, he’s capable of burning opponents after the catch out of the backfield or lined up wide as a receiver. Despite a slow start this year, he’s only two years removed from posting 2,118 yards from scrimmage and 20 total touchdowns. Arizona will do all it can to maximize his touches and Seattle must limit his effectiveness as both a runner and a ball carrier as a means to put the ball in Rosen’s court to win the game.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Seahawks G D.J. Fluker vs. Cardinals DT Robert Nkemdiche. Nkemdiche has been a bust since joining Arizona two years ago, failing to record a single sack in 17 games. But something has clicked for the former first-round pick this season, as he cemented a starting role coming out of the preseason and the physically-gifted 296-pound defensive tackle has recorded 10 tackles, 2.0 sacks, and a forced fumble in three games. On the flip side, Fluker may have played his best game in pass protection during his Seahawks debut last week and the 355-pound guard loves to bulldoze opponents as a run blocker. Both he and Nkemdiche failed initially to live up to first-round status, but with both players motivated and currently playing at a high level, this should be one of the most enticing matchups to watch on Sunday.
–Seahawks Ss Earl Thomas and Bradley McDougald vs. Cardinals QB Josh Rosen. Young quarterbacks often struggle with the speed of the NFL game compared to college football, but Rosen has plenty of moxie. He won’t easily be rattled, he’ll bounce right up after taking hits, and he’s got short memory forgetting prior mistakes. Norton Jr. will be searching for ways to rachet up pressure on the rookie signal caller, but Seattle’s greatest advantage in this game will be its talented safety tandem of Thomas and McDougald. The two players have combined to intercept five passes already this season, and especially in the case of Thomas, both defenders know how to bait quarterbacks into making bad decisions with the football. Thomas already tricked Broncos starter Case Keenum into a telegraphed pick in the season opener and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him or McDougald put Rosen into a similar predicament in this game.
