The Seahawks took a pound in Oakland last weekend, both on the scoreboard and to their bodies. Numerous Seahawks players limped off the field during the game, headlined by quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. The season goes on, however, and it doesn't get any easier for the Hawks. This weekend, Seattle welcomes the New York Giants, and their fierce pass rush, to Qwest Field.
Hasselbeck, under siege most of the day, was "dinged up" according to head coach Pete Carroll after the game. We found out yesterday that Hasselbeck suffered a concussion sometime during Sunday's game against the Raiders, leaving his status for this weekend up in the air. In order to play, Hasselbeck must pass the standard concussion test and be cleared by the Seahawks medical staff. The Seattle Times' Danny O'Neil had more from Carroll.
"You still have to go through the process to make sure he's all right," Carroll said, "but we think he'll play."
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"He got banged up just kind of in general," Carroll said. "He did get hit in the head, and had some headaches or something like that. So we're just taking care of him, looking after him, making sure he's all right."
Hasselbeck wasn't the only Seahawk that left Oakland banged up. Red Bryant (knee), Golden Tate (ankle), Colin Cole (ankle), Tyler Polumbus (ankle), Mike Williams (bruised knee), Ben Hamilton (concussion) and Brandon Stokley (oblique) all suffered injuries that were addressed by Carroll. Of those, Red Bryant's knee injury was the most serious. Tate was in a boot yesterday and the team is taking it day-by-day.
Russell Okung was inactive last weekend, taking time to recover from another sprained ankle, but should make his return to practice this Wednesday (via The Seattle PI's Greg Johns)
On the upside, Carroll hopes rookie left tackle Russell Okung can return to practice by Wednesday after sitting out Sunday's game with a sprained ankle and Chester Pitts came through his first game in 14 months in pretty good condition.
With more injuries besieging the offensive line, Okung's return is desperately needed. The line struggled to block, both for the running backs and in pass protection, leading to Hasselbeck throwing under pressure all day and a run-game that was stuck in neutral, if not reverse. If the prized left tackle can stay healthy, it'll go a long way towards jump starting the Seahawk offense.
It doesn't get any easier for the line this week when the New York Giants come to town. Known for their relentless pass-rush and superb defensive line, the task of blocking the Giants appears to be a daunting one. The Giants will be without defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka, who's season is finished after being placed on injured reserve last week.
The New York Giants placed defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka on injured reserve with a herniated disk in his neck on Thursday.
For the second time in four seasons, Kiwanuka's year is finished because of injury. But this time, his Giants career could also be over since he is in the final year of his contract.
The Giants defensive line still creates headaches, even without Kiwanuka. Osi Umenyiora and the gang, which now includes rookie Jason Pierre-Paul, have knocked out plenty of quarterbacks this year, the biggest of which was Tony Romo in week six. I have a feeling they'll be just fine against the Seahawks.
Kiwanuka had four sacks in just three games and played defensive end and linebacker for Perry Fewell.
However, the Giants defense has been more than fine without Kiwanuka. Osi Umenyiora had seven sacks and six forced fumbles in the first three games Kiwanuka was out.
The Giants and their relentless defense visit Qwest Field to take on the Seahawks this Sunday at 1:15 p.m. on Fox.