The Seattle Seahawks enter Week 13 facing the Minnesota Vikings with an injury report that’s far from perfect—but it’s definitely manageable. Only two players, running back George Holani and rookie defensive lineman Rylie Mills, are officially ruled out for the upcoming Sunday home game. Holani is expected to be sidelined for several weeks due to a hamstring injury, which is always frustrating for a running back in the heart of the season. Meanwhile, Mills is still on the path back from a major setback—a torn ACL suffered during his final college game at Notre Dame. Because of this, he hasn’t even been cleared to suit up for the Seahawks yet and remains on the non-football injury (NFI) list, meaning he doesn’t occupy a spot on the active roster at all.
Here’s some good news: linebacker Ernest Jones IV is making a comeback after sitting out the previous game against the Tennessee Titans due to a knee problem. He participated fully in practice over the last couple of days, signaling that he should be ready to help anchor one of the league’s most formidable defenses once again. This is a major boost for Seattle’s chances.
On the other hand, safety Ty Okada is listed as questionable. He only managed limited practice reps on Thursday and Friday because of an oblique injury. If Okada’s ailment isn’t too serious, this might reduce how much the Seahawks need to rely on Pro Bowl safety Quandre Diggs, who was recently brought back to the squad. The timeline for starter Julian Love’s return remains uncertain, adding another layer of complexity to the Seahawks’ secondary. Whether Diggs gets promoted from the practice squad by Saturday or not, if Okada can’t play, expect D’Anthony Bell to step in as the starter.
Everyone else on Seattle’s injury list—key players like Kenneth Walker and Uchenna Nwosu included—are clear for the game, which is a relief.
Switching over to the Vikings, their injury situation isn’t ideal either. They will be missing quarterback J.J. McCarthy and rookie left guard Donovan Jackson for the matchup. Adding to their challenges, left tackle Christian Darrisaw is questionable, meaning Max Brosmer’s first-ever start at quarterback might come without solid protection on the left side of the offensive line. This could spell trouble for Minnesota’s offense.
But here’s where it gets controversial: can Seahawks’ backups effectively fill these gaps, or will the absence of key players tilt the balance in this matchup? And how much of an impact will these injuries have not just on the game, but on the teams’ playoff hopes? What do you think? Sound off in the comments with your take—agree or disagree, the debate is open!
