RENTON — Since making the Seattle Seahawks’ roster as an undrafted rookie in 2011, Jeron Johnson has established himself as a key special teams player and a valuable backup safety capable of playing two positions. But thanks to the depth in front of him, he has yet to start a game in three-plus seasons in Seattle.
That is likely going to change Sunday with strong safety Kam Chancellor listed as doubtful with the same groin injury that kept him out of last week’s game. And with his first start likely only days away, Johnson didn’t try to hide his excitement when it was brought up by a reporter that he hadn’t gotten many chances at starting in the NFL.
“Many or any?” Johnson said with a grin. “I’ve definitely been waiting on this opportunity, man. I can’t even downplay it and make it seem like it’s less than what it is. I’ve got to step in and just be myself. I can’t be Kam, can’t be Earl (Thomas), can’t be anyone other than Jeron Johnson, so that’s my main focus — be true to me, be true to the defense, know my assignments, and just play football.”
While Chancellor has not officially been ruled out, his doubtful designation on the injury report, as well as Seahawks coach Pete Carroll’s comments strongly suggest Johnson will be starting against the New York Giants.
“Kam did not practice again today,” Carroll said. “It’s going to be a game-day decision. He’s going to have to talk us into it at this point, because he wasn’t able to work during the week like we had hoped. So we’ll see. He’s very close to being ready, but we’ve got to make sure we take care of him for the long haul.”
Thanks to Chancellor’s and Thomas’ durability, Johnson had always been ready on game day, but never been asked to do much on defense. Last week could have been his big break with Chancellor out, but Johnson was out too, the result of a concussion suffered on kick coverage the week before. So instead of Johnson making his first career start, DeShawn Shead got his.
“I don’t think it hit me until game day,” Johnson said of the unfortunate timing of his injury. “I woke up game-day morning and I was like, ‘you know, this was my opportunity.’”
The good news for the Seahawks is that despite his inexperience in the regular season, Johnson has played a lot in preseason games, particularly in each of the past two seasons with Chancellor working his way back from offseason surgeries. So while Johnson was surprised by the media hoard that surrounded his locker Friday, he doesn’t plan on being overwhelmed when he takes the field Sunday.
“I’ve got to take it as a regular game,” he said. “I’m just starting on defense, not just special teams. I just stay on my keys and play assignment football.”
Other injuries
As Carroll indicated when the week began, the Seahawks will be welcoming back several injured players who missed last week’s game. That includes left tackle Russell Okung, who missed last week’s game with a calf injury, and center Max Unger, who has missed four games with a foot injury.
“It was great to have Max in the middle there and Russell finished this week, so both those guys will play,” Carroll said. “That’s obviously very positive for us, we’re grateful to have those guys back.”
Also expected back is defensive tackle Jordan Hill, who has been out with an ankle injury.
Guard James Carpenter, however, is listed as doubtful after spraining an ankle last week. Alvin Bailey will start in Carpenter’s place at left guard a week after starting at left tackle for Okung.
Cornerback Byron Maxwell practiced again Friday and is listed as questionable after missing three games with a calf injury.
“He practiced today, got through it all,” Carroll said. “We need to see how he recovers tomorrow again tomorrow. That’s really a day-to-day shot with him and we really won’t know until game time.”
Nickel cornerback Marcus Burley is also questionable after injuring a hamstring in practice this week.
Running back Marshawn Lynch practiced fully and is fine, Carroll said, after missing Thursday’s practice with a calf injury. Receiver Doug Baldwin is also ready to go after missing practice early in the week with a groin injury. Linebacker Malcolm Smith is expected to miss another game, leaving the Seahawks thin at linebacker again with Bobby Wagner still sidelined by a toe injury.
Lane ready to return
Cornerback Jeremy Lane got through another week of practice healthy, and is expected to be activated off of the injured reserve/designated for return list on Saturday. Carroll did not say what roster move the Seahawks will make to get Lane on the roster, but perhaps the most logical move would be to waive backup safety Steven Terrell who was signed to add secondary depth with injuries piling up a few weeks ago.
Now that Lane is back, Maxwell might play and the Seahawks will be down only Chancellor at safety, Terrell could be the odd man out in the secondary.
Lane’s return could be especially timely if Burley, who replaced him as Seattle’s nickel corner, can’t go.
New additions adjusting fast
Tight end Tony Moeaki and defensive end Demarcus Dobbs both joined the Seahawks this week, but both could see playing time against the Giants, Carroll said. Dobbs was a special teams standout in San Francisco, so he may have a role there right away, and Carroll said he is comfortable playing Dobbs on defense if necessary.
On Moeaki, Carroll said, “Tony has done very well, he’s very adapted to the position, he gets it and he understands how to make sense of it. He learned very quickly as well and he’s looked really good out here too — he’s in great shape.”
Herald Writer John Boyle: jboyle@heraldnet.com
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