The Seattle Seahawks are currently facing a wave of injuries on their defensive roster, and unfortunately, the situation isn’t improving. The hardship is felt even more as outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu can’t seem to catch a break. His return from injury was short-lived, not even lasting an entire game before he was placed back on injured reserve due to a thigh injury.
Last season, Nwosu’s year ended prematurely on injured reserve because of a pectoral injury. Although he recovered in time for the 2024 season, he sustained an MCL sprain in his knee during Seattle’s final preseason game in August, which sidelined him for the first four regular-season games.
Nwosu made his comeback in Week 5 against the New York Giants but had to leave early with a new thigh injury. Now on injured reserve, he will miss at least four games. Compounding the team’s injury issues, the Seahawks were without outside linebacker Boye Mafe (knee) and defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (hamstring) in their last game.
During the matchup against the Giants, Seattle also lost cornerback Riq Woolen (ankle) and outside linebacker Derick Hall (foot) to injuries. Additionally, veteran defensive end Leonard Williams returned on Sunday after missing the previous week due to a rib injury.
However, with Seattle scheduled to play the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, there’s no guarantee he will be able to participate on such a short turnaround.
What’s next for the Seahawks
The Seahawks and their fans have reason to be concerned, especially with the San Francisco 49ers up next. Including the playoffs, Seattle has lost five consecutive games to San Francisco since the start of the 2022 season, with the 49ers outscoring them 148-72 during that stretch. A weakened defense could be a major problem for the Seahawks, particularly as they try to stay competitive in the NFC West title race.
The 49ers boast one of the NFL’s top offensive units. After five games, they rank second in total offense (407.4 yards), fourth in passing offense (263.4 yards), and eighth in rushing offense (144 yards). Quarterback Brock Purdy is performing well, ranking fourth in passing yards (1,374) and seventh in QBR (66), with six touchdown passes. In a standout game against the Rams on Sept. 22, he completed 22 of 30 passes for 292 yards and three touchdowns. Without several key defenders, Seattle could face a tough challenge in their Thursday Night Football matchup.
Despite losing their last two games, Seattle had been on a good run. Geno Smith leads the league in passing attempts (199) and yards (1,466) with a strong 71.9% completion rate. His 146 rushing yards place him seventh among quarterbacks. The game may ultimately come down to which offense can deliver in crucial moments.
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