As the 4-5 Seahawks prepare for a key road game against the 5-4 San Francisco 49ers (1:05 p.m., FOX TV, KIRO Radio), they’re leaving the status of receiver DK Metcalf up in the air for the time being.
“I don’t know yet,” Metcalf said prior to practicing on Wednesday. “Going to practice today and then see how it goes.”
Generally speaking, players rarely grant interviews to the media when they’re not likely to play in a game. While he may be questionable to play, there is no question that the Seahawks could use their brawny, 6-foot-4, 235-pound receiver against their division rivals.
“DK’s going to practice today — in a limited capacity,” Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said without elaboration.
Metcalf was listed as a full participant on Wednesday’s post-practice report. Abraham Lucas, the right tackle out of Archbishop Murphy, was a limited participant.
It was thought that Metcalf might play in the 26-20 loss to the LA Rams on Nov. 3, but he wasn’t quite ready to return from a medial collateral ligament injury suffered against Atlanta on Oct. 20.
“I wasn’t a hundred percent and I knew I couldn’t go out there and be the best version of myself just for myself and the team,” said Metcalf, who has 35 catches for 568 yards and three touchdowns in seven games this season. “So I mean it was an easy decision for me. …
“It was just hard on game days, just sitting back and having to watch. It was just kind of a different perspective.”
It was an unusual role for Metcalf, who previously missed only one game in five seasons. Though he injured the knee during a reception, the pain went unnoticed until running down the sideline as Derick Hall scored a defensive touchdown against the Falcons. Since then, he’s gone from one of the main components in the offensive game plan to cheerleader and assistant receiver coach.
Metcalf tried to make the most of being sidelined and work on “just to be a better teammate, coaching wise or just telling (Jake) Bobo, Lock (Tyler Lockett), Jax (Jaxon Smith-Njigba) and Cody (White), whatever I saw out there on the field and just trying to keep everybody encouraged on the sideline,” he said.
The Seahawks offense saw some struggle against the Rams, but passing yards was not one of them. Jaxson Smith-Njigba enjoyed a breakout game as a downfield target with seven catches for 180 yards and two touchdowns. Tyler Locket added three for 63, while practice squad call-up Cody White caught two for 44 yards and also blocked a punt on special teams.
“I mean he makes those plays at practice all the time, so just to see it come to life on game day, I know it was really special for him,” Metcalf said of White.
The Seahawks hope that those breakout games along with Lockett’s steady hands will make them a tough cover for the 49ers and other teams for the rest of the season.
“I mean it just opens up the offense that much more, whether they’re having to double team, me and him (Jaxon Smith-Njigba) and Lock (Tyler Lockett) gets open,” Metcalf said. “Or… Ken (Kenneth Walker III) gases them or Zach (Charbonnet) gases them for a long run. I think it just puts more pressure on the defense to have to cover all of our skill positions.”
This story originally appeared in seattlesportsnow.com, of which Aaron Coe is a co-founder. Follow Seattle Sports Now on X.
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