Seahawks: Carroll hopes Unger can play Sunday

RENTON — The celebration of an NFC West title was put on hold for the Seattle Seahawks.

And unless they get some help, the delay could be for at least another two weeks.

“We would’ve loved to come out on top. We had our chance and we let the opportunity get away,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll said on Monday.

“So we crank it up. It’s really important, as we have throughout regardless of what the game is before, you have to handle it properly and put it in the right perspective and move forward effectively.”

Seattle’s 19-17 loss to San Francisco on Sunday was the Seahawks first setback in more than two months.

It snapped a seven-game win streak and left Seattle (11-2) still needing two more wins — or a win and a 49ers loss — to clinch the division title.

They still hold the best record in the NFC and have a one-game lead over New Orleans — along with the head-to-head tiebreaker — in the race for home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.

But they realize a chance to make the final three weeks of the season a tuneup for the playoffs is now gone. These games will have significant meaning, perhaps all the way to Week 17.

From that standpoint, the loss to San Francisco may not be as much of a negative.

“I don’t think there is any question it can help if you use it right. It’s a learning opportunity again, a reality check. How the littlest of things can determine the outcome of a game and being in a good hard-fought game is good always,” Carroll said.

“I like the other guys to learn the hard way, as always, but that is not the case. There will be an emphasis throughout the last three games of this year, every one of them is going to count in a big fashion and they’re all going to make a difference that will call on us to be on it all the way throughout.”

The loss also came with an injury cost. Outside linebacker K.J. Wright suffered a fractured bone in his foot and is scheduled to have surgery on Tuesday to insert a screw and stabilize the fracture. Carroll said the initial prognosis is that Wright will miss 4 to 6 weeks, but won’t be fully determined until after the surgery.

Wright’s absence will create an opportunity for Malcolm Smith, who started at the opposite outside linebacker position earlier in the season and now gets the chance to start at his natural weakside linebacker spot.

“That’s where he’s played a lot for us over the years. He understands the position really well,” Carroll said.

Center Max Unger was the other significant injury to come out of Sunday. Unger suffered a strained pectoral muscle in the second half and was replaced by backup Lemuel Jeanpierre. Carroll said Unger will be limited in practice this week, but hopes he’ll be able to play Sunday.

While Seattle’s defense managed to keep Colin Kaepernick from making a major impact on the game, the most damaging play was Frank Gore’s 51-yard run that led to the game-winning field goal.

Both middle linebacker Bobby Wagner and strong safety Kam Chancellor overran the play and Gore was able to cut back. Earl Thomas also took a poor angle to try and clean up the play and Gore was able to slide past him and into the open field.

Carroll said the play should have been held to a far shorter gain.

“We were going this way and he was going that way,” Carroll said. “So they blocked it well up front, but we had plenty of shots to keep it to being an 8-to-9 yard gain.”

Seattle also committed nine penalties, and many coming at costly times that either erased sizeable gains on offense or were defensive penalties that kept drives for San Francisco going.

Seattle has committed at least six penalties in every game and nine or more seven times.

“I don’t think that was the story of the game at all,” Carroll said. “In terms of where I would be criticizing the officials, I don’t see it as that, but penalties really were a big factor in the game.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.