Sputtering Cardinals And Seahawks Have Critical Injuries in Week 6 Divisional Matchup
An always-entertaining Seahawks Cardinals rivalry game will feature a Cards offense without a lot of options at running back and offensive line.
The Seahawks offense has looked every bit explosive and able to score in critical moments this year. The question in every game has always been how the defense can get a stop and turn these close games into wins. Geno Smith will need to continue consistent play this week with the absence of Rashaad Penny.
The Cardinals have a bruised offensive line with the three left linemen listed as questionable. Additionally, we will see Eno Benjamin, second-string running back, get the start for the Cards Sunday. If there’s ever a time for a bounce-back game for the Seahawks defense, it would be this Sunday with two out of three running backs injured for the Cardinals.
Seahawks/Cardinals Injury Update
Seahawks
Rashaad Penny, Running Back: Penny, Seahawks starting running back, suffered a broken fibula and a high-ankle sprain. He will be out for the rest of the season and it looks like Kenneth Walker III will be named the starter. Walker flashed the reason he was drafted highly when he took a run 69 yards to the house in Week Five.
Gabe Jackson, Guard: Jackson was an acquisition from the Las Vegas Raiders and in his second season with the Seahawks has been a reliable starter on the right side of the line. Through five games this season, Jackson had committed zero penalties and allowed one sack. After exiting the game last Sunday, there is no current update on if he practiced this week or if he is expected to start against the Cardinals. If he is absent, expect the 2019 4th round pick Phil Haynes to pick up another start.
Al Woods, Defensive Tackle: An older veteran and leader on the defensive side of the ball, Al Woods is a force in the interior defensive line. Through five games, Woods had been almost as productive as his entire 2021 season with one sack, two quarterback hits, thirteen solo tackles and four tackles for loss. Woods is listed as doubtful for this game, and in his likely absence expect Bryan Mone and possibly L.J. Collier to get additional opportunities Sunday.
Cardinals
James Conner, Running Back: Conner’s stats so far this season don’t jump off the page. The Cardinals use a rotation of backs as a change of pace that allows Kyler Murray to run and pass. This will prove much more difficult though, as Conner is out indefinitely with a rib injury and will be absent this Sunday.
Darrel Williams, Running Back: Third-string in the rotation, Williams is an occasional contributor to the Arizona offense. He is doubtful Sunday and did not participate in practice Thursday. With Conner missing the game and Williams likely to miss, Eno Benjamin looks to lead the Arizona rushing attack Sunday afternoon.
Rodney Hudson, Center: Another important piece in the offensive line, the center. Hudson also has no update on his injury and is listed as questionable. We think he will start this week as being listed at questionable during the season is normal for NFL players. On Friday, Kliff Kingsbury said that if Hudson feels good Sunday, he will play.
Byron Murphy Jr. and Trayvon Mullen, Cornerbacks: Mullen will miss this game, and Byron Murphy was added to the report as questionable late in the week. Murphy has been balling in 2022, giving up only 4.5 yards per target this season. This would have been good for the #1 cornerback in 2021 in terms of yards per target. If Murphy misses the game, expect the already-hot DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett to continue producing.
Matt Prater, Kicker: Prater, a longtime reliable kicker in the NFL, is suffering from a hip injury. He is currently week-to-week, but Prater will not play Sunday. In two games played in 2022, Prater has six field goals at 100 percent made. Matt Ammendola will kick for the Cardinals for a second straight week.
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