The Seahawks and Lions might as well be in the same division. Seattle has played Detroit each of the last three seasons, and to say defense was at a premium in those games is an understatement. Point totals in those contests: 80, 93 and an uncharacteristic but thrilling 68 last year.
This week feels much different, though. Behind Mike Macdonald, a new head coach with a defensive pedigree, Seattle ranks second in total defense (248.7 yards allowed/game), No. 1 against the pass (132.3) and fourth in scoring (14.3 points allowed/game). And unlike those other Lions affairs, this one’s on Monday Night Football (8:15 p.m. ET, ABC).
Seattle’s ability to stop Jared Goff and the Lions may hinge on injuries. In last week’s win over Miami, the Seahawks lost two-thirds of their starting defensive line, Leonard Williams (rib) and Byron Murphy (mid-section). Macdonald on Monday didn’t offer updates on either injury and with a longer week, the NFL won’t require Seattle to issue an injury report until Thursday.
Macdonald did say, however, that linebacker Uchenna Nwosu will practice. Nwosu missed the first three games after spraining his MCL in preseason, and missed the last 11 games in 2023 with a torn ACL.
“We’re going to put him out there at some point this week and see how it goes,” Macdonald said. “He should get some team activities here in the next couple days.”
On offense, running back Kenneth Walker (oblique) is expected to join Nwosu at practice and is a good bet to return on Monday night. In his absence over the last two games, Zach Charbonnet has capitalized on the opportunity. In the win over Miami, he 18 carries for a career-best 91 yards and two touchdowns.
Detroit is also dealing with significant injuries. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Monday that All-Pro center Frank Ragnow has a partially torn pectoral muscle and could miss Monday’s game.
In addition, head coach Dan Campbell said Monday defensive lineman Marcus Davenport (elbow) is out for the season, LB Derrick Barnes (knee) will miss significant time, and defensive lineman Alim McNeil, defensive back Brian Branch and tight end Sam LaPorta are day-to-day.
The Seahawks are bidding for just their third 4-0 start over the last 20 years. They opened 4-0 in both 2020 and 2013, when they went on to win the Super Bowl.