RENTON, Wash. -- The Seattle Seahawks are taking a short-handed and banged-up secondary with them to Pittsburgh to face Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf and the Steelers on Sunday.
Pro Bowl cornerback Devon Witherspoon is listed as doubtful due to a knee injury, while rookie safety Nick Emmanwori is out with his high ankle sprain. Safety Julian Love is expected to play, but he's dealing with a groin injury that sidelined him on Thursday and limited him the other two days in practice this week.
The Seahawks will have outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu, who's making his 2025 debut after missing much of the offseason and the first game following knee surgery, but their secondary will be in flux.
Witherspoon was hurt midway through the fourth quarter of the Seahawks' season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers, and while he finished the game, he couldn't practice all week. Coach Mike Macdonald said he does not think Witherspoon's injury will be long-term.
Emmanwori, a second-round pick whom Seattle has planned to play extensively this season as the third safety, was hurt on the opening drive. Macdonald said that as of now, the plan is to not place Emmanwori on injured reserve, which would require him to miss at least four games. The Seahawks are hoping that he can return before that timeframe, but Macdonald sounded far from certain that he will, calling it a tricky timeline to project.
Earlier in the week, Macdonald was non-committal when asked whether Riq Woolen will start against Pittsburgh after the former Pro Bowl cornerback was beaten twice on San Francisco's game-winning drive. Woolen's struggles coincided with Josh Jobe's strong performance in the No. 3 role. But Woolen figures to remain in the starting lineup with Witherspoon likely out, with Shaquill Griffin Seattle's next option at corner.
Nwosu took a pay cut over the offseason to remain with the Seahawks after playing in only 12 games over the past two seasons because of several injuries, including one to his knee that required surgery. Macdonald said he may be on a snap count Sunday.
"We'll see how many plays, but Chenna will make his debut," Macdonald said. "We're really excited. He's working his tail off, he's practicing great. Really happy for him because of the work that he's put in. We had an initial timetable and he's knocked that our of the park, so can't wait to watch him play."
