RENTON -- The Seahawks have six key players listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
Starting tackles Duane Brown and Germain Ifedi, starting safety Bradley McDougald, newly acquired safety Quandre Diggs, defensive end Ziggy Ansah and cornerback Tre Flowers all were listed as questionable to play in Atlanta this weekend.
Meanwhile, defensive end Quinton Jefferson and safety Lano Hill have both been ruled out.
The least likely of the group to play would appear to be Diggs, who has been limited in practice this week with a hamstring injury that he dealt with the last several weeks in Detroit. It has stunted his chances to get up to speed in time for this week's game against the Falcons.
"He was not able to do a lot of work," head coach Pete Carroll said. "We’re just training him right now. We’re not trying to rush it and just force him in there. We’re not doing that.”
McDougald returned to limited participation in practice on Thursday and managed to get two days of limited work in after back spasms forced him to miss last week's game against the Baltimore Ravens.
"He’s making his way back," Carroll said. "He kind of surprised us jumping (back in) and got enough practice that we’ll take him all the way up to game time."
Brown has missed the last two games due to a biceps injury that was aggravated in the team's Thursday night win against the Los Angeles Rams. George Fant has started the last two games at left tackle in place of Brown and would continue in that role this weekend if Brown misses another game. Fant had been limited in practice this week with a shoulder injury as well but is clear to play against the Falcons.
“He did a nice job in practice today, got all the way through it," Carroll said of Brown, who will also be a game time decision.
Ifedi tweaked his knee in a walkthrough practice during the week. Carroll said it wasn't a serious issue but they held him out of practice the last two days to make sure it won't become a bigger issue.
"He just tweaked it in the walk-through the other day, his knee," Carroll said. "So we just quieted it down a little bit to make sure that he’s OK. We’ll make sure on game day that’s he all right. It was nothing serious. He actually did it in walk-through tempo. He just caught something and we want to make sure we’re doing the right thing and taking care of him."
Ansah missed the Ravens game with an ankle injury sustained against the Cleveland Browns the week before. He was able to practice on a limited basis all week and appears to be ready to go.
"He got good work the last two days so he looks likely to be part of it. We’ll make sure on Sunday, again," Carroll said.
Flowers came out of last week's game with a stinger that kept him limited in practice. He, too, will be a game-time decision.
"He had a little stinger last week and so we’re just making sure he’s alright. We’ll go all the way to game time and make sure that’s OK.”
Carroll ruled out Hill earlier in the week as an elbow injury he is dealing with is set to keep him out for multiple games. Jefferson had an oblique injury flare up this week that will keep him out against the Falcons as well.
“He’s got an oblique that he did two weeks ago, acted up a little bit after the game and came back out of it. Just not quite ready yet," Carroll said.
Phil Haynes on track to return soon:
Fourth-round pick Phil Haynes has missed the first seven games of the season while on the physically unable to perform list. The rookie guard out of Wake Forest has been practicing the last two weeks along with seventh-round defensive tackle Demarcus Christmas.
Carroll said earlier in the week that this would be an important stretch for Haynes to show he's ready to contribute. Haynes appears to have checked those boxes for the coaching staff.
“He’s making it back," Carroll said. "Phil went the whole week, got through it, competed all week long, did a nice job. He’s ready to be called on when we elevate him.”
Injury Report:
Photo Credit: CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 13: Olivier Vernon #54 of the Cleveland Browns is blocked by Germain Ifedi #65 of the Seattle Seahawks allowing Russell Wilson #3 to run for a first down during the fourth quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. Seattle defeated Cleveland 32-28. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)