So, get this: Anthony Bradford, our starting right guard, just got placed on injured reserve. That means he’s out for at least the next four games, man. We knew he picked up a hip injury last week against the Arizona Cardinals, but now it’s official. This isn’t ideal, but it opens the door wide open for Christian Haynes and rookie Beau Stephens, and let me tell you, what those guys did last week? It demands attention from the Emerald City.
Haynes and Stephens Are Stepping Up Big
Our offensive coordinator, Brian Fleury, confirmed that Haynes and Stephens are gonna keep rotating at right guard this week on the road against the Washington Commanders. Fleury basically said their snap count will be “determined by the state of the game.” Remember last week? Bradford was a “kind of” surprising scratch, and Haynes stepped in. But it wasn’t just him; Beau Stephens, the rookie, got some snaps too. That’s a lot of pressure on new guys, especially a rookie, but the results speak for themselves.
What They Did Against Arizona Is Eye-Opening
You saw it, right? We rushed for over 150 yards against the Cardinals! And we put up a massive 31 points on the scoreboard! That’s not just good, that’s clutch. Fleury was absolutely pleased with how both of them performed, and honestly, who wouldn’t be? He said, “I thought Beau handled his first actual NFL snaps pretty well.” They were deliberate with his subs, saying things like, “Hey, this is going to be your series,” and Beau totally functioned. Plus, Fleury was “happy with how Christian played as well with the amount of snaps that he had.” That’s a huge volume for him, and he delivered. These guys weren’t just filling a spot; they were performing.
This Is Their Shot on the O-Line
Now, we all know Bradford’s job is probably waiting for him when he comes off IR. That’s just how it usually goes. But for Haynes and Stephens, this isn’t just a temporary gig. This is a real chance to show exactly what they’re made of, to solidify their spot on our burgeoning Seahawks offensive line. Ideally, Beau Stephens would really grab this thing by the horns since he’s under contract for multiple years, which would be sweet. This week, going against the Commanders on the road, it’s another massive opportunity for them. The 12s are watching, and we expect them to keep that run game rolling. Let’s go, Hawks!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Field Gulls.
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