LOS ANGELES — Michael Bennett and his fellow defensive linemen did something different before Sunday’s national anthem.
They all stood.
Bennett sat for anthems before all four preseason games and the first four regular-season contests to protest mistreatment of minorities and the need for police reform in our country. Two weeks ago, before Seattle’s game at Tennessee, the entire team stayed in the locker room during the anthem. Last week at home, before the win over Indianapolis, Bennett and his fellow defensive linemen sat during The Star Spangled Banner.
“The main reason that we stood was we want to pay our respect to those people who lost their lives in Las Vegas,” defensive end Frank Clark said of the massacre Oct. 1 in which 59 people died and more than 500 were injured by a gunman who shot at a crowd at a music festival. “I think that was important.
“It’s not about the flag. It’s not about disrespecting our military. That’s not what this is really about. It’s about social awareness of what’s going on in our country, and the (need) for equality for all. That’s what this is about. It’s not about anything else …
“There is a time and place for everything. And I feel like today was not the time, honestly, to sit down.”
Surgery for Joeckel?
Starting left guard Luke Joeckel said he and the team are thinking about him having “clean-up” surgery on his surgically repaired knee during Seattle’s upcoming bye week.
Joeckel underwent season-ending surgery on the knee last October when he was with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He then signed a one-year, prove-it deal with the Seahawks with $7 million guaranteed. He has started and played all of the first five games this season, but takes midweek practices off to rest the knee.
“We’re still considering it,” Joeckel said of surgery this week, as he walked to the team bus outside the Coliseum. “If we do it, it will just be a clean-up.”
Joeckel said he didn’t know how that would impact his availability for Seattle’s next game, Oct. 22 at the New York Giants.
Undrafted rookie Jordan Roos has been Joeckel’s backup at left guard.
Sunday’s inactives
Pro Bowl defensive end Cliff Avril (neck and spine issues), cornerback Jeremy Lane (strained groin), running back C.J. Prosise (ankle issue) and defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson (broken hand) were all inactive Sunday because of injuries.
Reserve offensive linemen Mark Glowinski, Isaiah Battle and Jordan Roos also were inactive.
Extra points
Bennett was the only injury during a game. He left late in the first half with a foot injury but returned to play the entire second half. Coach Pete Carroll said Bennett has a “sore foot.” … The Seahawks have the entire week off for the bye. They return to practice Oct. 17.
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