Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll is shuffling the lineup this week, looking to get different players time in Saturday's preseason matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. With starting left tackle Russell Okung out with an ankle injury, some of the backups on the offensive line are getting a chance to shine and make a preseason start. Carroll also plans to continue rotating his cast of running backs, starting a different back for the third straight game.
The official Seahawks blog breaks it down.
Leon Washington. The running back who was acquired in a draft day trade with the New York Jets is scheduled to start in Saturday night’s third preseason game against the Vikings in Minnesota – after Julius Jones and Justin Forsett got the starts in the first two games.
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Offensive line. Mike Gibson getting the start at left guard, a possibility coach Pete Carroll mentioned Tuesday, moved closer to reality today when Ben Hamilton sat out to rest a sore knee. That left Gibson to take all the snaps with the No. 1 line.
Preseason games are a time to try different things and look for combination that may carry over to the regular season. With Leon Washington, Justin Forsett, and Julius Jones all vying for a starting spot in the backfield, the coaching staff is looking to see how each does carrying the load in the exhibitions. While optimistic that prized left tackle Okung will be ready to go when the season kicks off, Carroll needs to find depth and prepare for Okung's absence.
The players have a light walkthrough Friday morning before flying out to Minnesota to take on the Vikings on Saturday night.
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