Seahawks expect D.K. Metcalf to be true game-time decision
The Seattle Seahawks are currently 3-2 as they host the 1-5 Arizona Cardinals in a key NFC West showdown on Sunday, and they may have to play the game without start wide receiver D.K. Metcalf. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Metcalf will be a true game-time decision on Sunday. He's dealing with hip and rib injuries […]
The Seattle Seahawks are currently 3-2 as they host the 1-5 Arizona Cardinals in a key NFC West showdown on Sunday, and they may have to play the game without start wide receiver D.K. Metcalf.
Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Metcalf will be a true game-time decision on Sunday. He's dealing with hip and rib injuries that left him questionable heading into game day. As a result, the Seahawks promoted practice squad WR Easop Winston to the active roster in case Metcalf can't go, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
No Metcalf would obviously be a big blow to the Seahawks offense. The fifth-year wideout leads the team with 337 receiving yards and is tied with fellow WR Tyler Lockett for the team lead in receiving touchdowns (2). Metcalf's 22 receptions are second-best and are just one behind Locket's team-leading 23 catches. He also leads the team with 18 grabs for 1st downs – a whopping six more than the second-place Lockett.
Officially, the Seahawks will be without rookie running back, Zach Charbonnet. The second-rounder will miss this week's game with a hamstring injury, per Schefter.
The good news is the Cardinals are a bottom-5 defense in terms of yards allowed per game (376.7) and they have allowed the sixth-most points per game (27). But at the same time, you always want to be as healthy as possible when heading into divisional matchups. Even if this Cardinals team is new territory in terms of the head coach and roster.
If Metcalf can't go, more will be placed upon the shoulders of Lockett. It will also open up more opportunity for rookie first-rounder, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who hasn't gotten off to the fast start many assumed he would.
As for the Seahawks running backs, Kenneth Walker III and Deejay Dallas should see more playing time in Charbonnet's stead. SaRodorick Thompson is also on the roster, but he's yet to record a single snap of any kind in 2023, so it's hard to say whether or not he'll see any playing time. Especially with the combined experience of Walker and Dallas.
