Hawks fans, if you thought this week was going to be easy, think again. Our team dropped a bombshell of an inactive list, with quarterback Sam Darnold, offensive guard Quenton Nelson, left tackle Charles Cross, and defensive lineman Leonard Williams all officially ruled out during the week. This is a gut punch, no doubt about it, and it means we are going to see some serious challenges for Mike Macdonald’s squad.
Massive Hits to Seattle’s Lineup
Seriously, seeing Sam Darnold’s name on that “out” list stings. This isn’t just one or two guys, this is a significant chunk of our core on both sides of the ball. Losing Quenton Nelson and Charles Cross, two absolutely critical pieces of that offensive line, means we are going to have to find new ways to protect whoever is under center. And on defense, Leonard Williams being out is a huge blow to our defensive front. This isn’t just depth, these are impact players that we rely on week in and week out. On top of those big names, we are also without running back Emanuel Wilson, cornerback Avery Smith, and defensive tackle Deven Eastern. Our roster depth is about to be tested in a way we haven’t seen yet this season. You have got to wonder how Brian Fleury’s going to adjust the offensive scheme to account for these massive gaps.
Across the League: Raiders Dealing With Their Own Inactives
It’s not just the Emerald City feeling the pain, though. Over with the Raiders, they are dealing with their own set of inactives for Fernando Mendoza’s first NFL start. Defensive tackle Thomas Booker is out with an ankle injury, and wide receiver Dont’e Thornton will sit due to a back injury that just popped up late in the week. They also have wide receiver Malik Benson, safety Tristin McCollum, safety Dalton Johnson, and guard Bryce Cabeldue inactive. It is a reminder that every team faces these hurdles, but for us, these particular names hit hard.
This kind of adversity at this point in the season can define a team. How do we respond? Who steps up? That’s what we are all watching for now. We know this team has fight, and we are going to need every ounce of it to overcome these injuries. The stakes just got a whole lot higher, and every single snap will matter more than ever.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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