RENTON — It’s safe to say it’s been a challenging year for the Seattle Seahawks when it comes to offensive line health.
Center Max Unger, a Pro Bowl player and the leader of Seattle’s line, has missed nine of 15 games with various injuries this season, and is questionable for Sunday’s game against St. Louis because of the high-ankle sprain that has caused him to miss the past five games. Left tackle Russell Okung, meanwhile, is expected back after missing a game with a bruised lung, but has missed two games overall. Left guard James Carpenter missed three games earlier this season.
In all, the Seahawks have used six different line combinations this season, and if Patrick Lewis again starts at center and Okung returns as expected, that would be a seventh. Between Unger, Lewis, Lemuel Jeanpierre and Stephen Schilling, who is now on injured reserve, the Seahawks have had four different players start at least three games at center, one of the most important positions on offense.
Yet for all the uncertainty, which will again be an issue in a very important season finale, the Seahawks are seeing improvement in their line play of late. After allowing seven sacks to Arizona in a home game last month, the Seahawks gave up just one last weekend against the Cardinals despite Okung and Unger being out. The Seahawks have run the ball well all season, averaging a league-best 175.3 rushing yards per game, and while Russell Wilson played very well last week, as did his pass-catchers, a franchise-record 596 yards was also the result of a patchwork line doing a very good job against a dangerous front.
“We were much improved,” Carroll said of his line’s performance against the Cardinals last week. “Obviously, we got sacked a bunch the first time around against those guys, so that improved. Plus, the yards rushing was a great statement coming through. I think the guys worked really well together — give a lot of credit to the coaches because they were making sure everyone was communicating against a very challenging front. We got that done and we handled it. We were better versed and cleaner in our communications.”
The Seahawks will need to again be clean this week while facing a Rams defensive front that has always given Seattle trouble. Since Russell Wilson took over at quarterback in 2012, he has been sacked 22 times in five games against St. Louis.
If the Seahawks’ line can continue its improved play against a defense known to give them fits, a lot of the credit for that will go to offensive line coach/assistant head coach Tom Cable, who has helped build a consistent rushing attack while improving the pass protection despite the players’ injuries.
“He does a masterful job,” Carroll said. “It hasn’t been easy. We’ve had a lot of changes this year, I don’t know what the numbers are on that, but there’s been a lot of moving parts and he has commanded it really well for us.”
Injury report
On Sunday, the Seahawks will be without starting receiver Jermaine Kearse, who injured his hamstring in last weekend’s game, as well as defensive end Demarcus Dobbs, who is still recovering from an ankle injury that kept him out of the past two games. In addition to Unger, tight end Cooper Helfet (rib), receiver Chris Matthews (hamstring) and cornerback Tharold Simon (shoulder) are questionable. All three practiced Friday, indicating they have a shot for Sunday’s game, and all will be game-day decisions, Carroll said. Tight end Tony Moeaki, who missed last week’s game with a shoulder injury, is probable, as are running back Marshawn Lynch (back) and Okung.
Defender released
The Seahawks released defensive tackle Travian Robertson Friday, though they aren’t expected to fill that roster spot before Sunday’s game. With a relatively healthy roster, a player added this late in the week likely wouldn’t be active on game day anyway, so there isn’t much difference between filling that spot Saturday or next week.
Robertson, who was signed off of Atlanta’s practice squad in November, appeared in one game, his first after coming to Seattle, then was inactive in each of the past four games.
Herald Writer John Boyle: jboyle@heraldnet.com
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