Seattle Seahawks Suffer Devastating Blow as $36 Million Star is Lost to Injury đš
The Seattle Seahawks havenât had their complete secondary on the field since Week 4 of the NFL season, a little over one month ago, and now theyâll have to wait even longer. The team announced today that safety Julian Love is going to the IR and will miss at least the next four games.
âSeattle (5-2) was expecting Love to return this week, but coach Mike Macdonald said he suffered a setback last week in his recovery from the hamstring injury that has already sidelined him for four of Seattleâs seven games,â Brady Henderson writes for ESPN. âTy Okada is expected to continue to start in Loveâs place.â
The Loss of Love
The Seahawksâ defense has played exceptionally well in Loveâs absence. They are allowing 19.4 points per game, which is seventh-best in the league. Seattle has proven it can win this season even when missing multiple star defensive players, including cornerback Devon Witherspoon, whoâs returning to action this week after missing five games with a knee injury.
âThe Seahawks havenât had Love, two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Devon Witherspoon and talented rookie safety Nick Emmanwori on the field together since the opening defensive series of Week 1,â per mynorthwest.com.
As a result, the defenseâs weak spot has been the secondary. The Hawks are surrendering 230.1 yards per game through the air, which ranks 22nd overall, while their league-best run defense is giving up just 75.7 yards per game.
The team will have to continue overcoming Loveâs absence until he returns from the IR, which at the earliest is Week 13 against the Minnesota Vikings. The 27-year-old safety made the Pro Bowl in 2023 and has been a steady force on Seattleâs defense throughout his three seasons with the team. Love has 18 tackles, one sack, and two pass breakups in the three games this season.
Trade Deadline Decisions
Itâs unlikely Seattle trades for a fill-in safety before the Nov. 4 trade deadline. Most trade rumors link the Seahawks to offensive linemen, particularly on the interior.
Itâs possible that Loveâs injury affects whether or not Seattle trades Riq Woolen, though. Woolen has been the target of trade speculation for months, partially due to his up-and-down play and because heâs entering the final year of his rookie deal. Even though Love has missed most of the season and Woolen has nonetheless been involved in trade rumors, GM John Schneider may decide to keep the secondary as intact as possible following Loveâs injury.
Seattleâs Other Roster Moves
The Seahawks also announced today that tight end Eric Saubert would go on the IR with a calf injury. Saubert has played in five games this season, primarily in a run-blocking role. He has one reception for 12 yards on the year.
Brady Henderson detailed several other roster moves Seattle made today: âThe Seahawks on Saturday also activated rookie fullback Robbie Ouzts off IR and signed safety Jerrick Reed II off their practice squad. They elevated receivers Ricky White III and Cody White off their practice squad for the Commanders game, reinforcing their receiver corps amid injuries to Cooper Kupp (questionable/heel, hamstring), Dareke Young (out/hip) and Jake Bobo (out/Achilles).
âThe Seahawks will get cornerback Devon Witherspoon back Sunday night after he missed five games with a knee injury. Seattleâs secondary has been at full strength for all of five plays this season, as rookie safety Nick Emmanwori also went down on the first drive of the opener with a sprained ankle, sidelining him for the next three games.â
Zac Taylor Updates Demetrius Knight Jr.'s Injury Status Following 2025 Preseason Finale
CINCINNATI â The Bengals took it on the chin 41-14 at home in Saturday's preseason finale against the Colts, but Zac Taylor was understandably not upset at the podium.
He updated the media on a few injuries, including Daijahn Anthony (hamstring) and Jermaine Burton (knee), but didn't have clear timelines for them. Taylor did give a positive update on an undisclosed injury forÂ
Demetrius Knight Jr.
"He was day to day, so we just held him out Thursday," Taylor said about Knight's missed practice. "He would have been able to play a game this weekend. There's some guys who missed practice on Thursday. We held them out of pregame warm-ups and stuff like that. But nothing I'm concerned about."
Cincinnati's top leader is confident in his team after a sound, relatively healthy training camp.
"I thought Thursday was a great day of work," Taylor said after the loss. "You know, our ones got a lot of drives. I feel really good about where we're at. And so now again, we'll assess the tape, put it behind us, and move forward. Forward with the guys making the roster."
Cincinnati's got most of the pieces in place offensively to contend for a championship this season. On the other side, Trey Hendrickson remains on the outside looking in on practice for a new-look defense.
"Trey's been great. Trey's been a leader,"Â Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden said on Friday. "Trey's been unselfish through this whole time. He's communicating with everybody and is really trying to be a role model for the young guys and give everything he can in terms of teaching them. He's been great. It's part of the business. It's unfortunate. I'd love the opportunity to coach him obviously, so we'll see how it plays out. That side of it is an unfortunate part of the business."Â
Getting him signed or traded for a palatable package in return is imperative over the next two weeks.
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