Julian Love: Seahawks angry at not 'finishing' 49ers with game on the line
Julian Love made a key field-goal block Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. Unfortunately, his Seattle Seahawks' secondary teammate couldn't knock a ball down at even more crucial time in the game.
Cornerback Riq Woolen wasn't totally to blame for the soul-crushing 17-13 loss at Lumen Field, but he did have a chance to save the day for Seattle in the final two minutes.
MORE: Seahawks' star CB Riq Woolen beaten on 2 key plays in crushing late loss to 49ers
In a play eerily reminiscent of 1982's classic "The Catch," 49ers' quarterback Brock Purdy was pressured and rolled right out of the pocket. With no receiver open, he heaved an ill-advised throw into the end zone. When the ball was in the air, Woolen was properly positioned and had both hands raised ready to make a game-sealing interception. Instead, he let third-string tight end Jake Tonges - who didn't have an NFL catch entering the game - slide in front of him and steal the ball for a touchdown with 1:34 remaining.
Sam Darnold drove the Seahawks inside San Francisco's Red Zone, but fumbled to seal the loss and 0-1 start. Love was still fuming about Purdy's touchdown pass when he spoke after the game.
MORE: Seahawks great Richard Sherman disagreed with 4th down call by Mike Macdonald
“We gotta finish it,” he said. “It’s frustrating. It sucks to lose a division game early on, especially to those guys. You’re waiting all offseason to play those guys.”
Broncos' Evan Engram Faces Injury Setback in Season Opener
In a promising start to the season, the Denver Broncos secured a 20–12 victory over the Tennessee Titans in their Week 1 matchup. However, the win was marred by an injury to newly acquired tight end Evan Engram. Engram exited the game in the second half due to a calf injury and was listed as questionable to return.
Injury Details:
Engram, who had three receptions for 21 yards before the injury, was seen heading to the blue medical tent and did not return to the game. The Broncos are now facing uncertainty regarding his availability for upcoming games, as calf injuries can be unpredictable and may require cautious management.
In a statement following the game, Engram reassured fans and teammates alike, saying:
“I’m not worried. This is just a bump in the road. I’ll be back stronger. The team needs me, and I’m going to push through this. The Broncos are on the rise, and I’m not going to let this hold me back.” — Evan Engram, Denver Broncos Tight End
Team Impact:
Engram's injury leaves the Broncos with limited options at the tight end position. With Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull as the only healthy tight ends, the team may need to explore alternatives, including utilizing practice squad players or considering free-agent acquisitions.
Looking Ahead:
The Broncos are expected to monitor Engram's condition closely and may opt for a conservative approach if the calf injury is deemed serious. With Engram's injury history and the team's current depth at the position, decisions regarding his participation in future games will be made with caution to ensure long-term health and performance.
