Seattle won't have line-backer K.J. Wright or guard James Carpenter in its game against the New York Jets today, both ruled out with concussions.
How much the Seahawks miss the pair of starters depends on Seattle's depth, which is being tested for the first time this season.
"It's not about who's stepping down, it's who's stepping up," coach Pete Carroll said.
Mike Morgan steps in for Wright at strongside linebacker, John Moffitt for Carpenter at left guard.
This is part of the drill in the NFL. Players get hurt, and so far this year Seattle has remained remarkably healthy. Receiver Ben Obomanu is the only player the Seahawks placed on injured reserve since the regular season began, and this week will be the first time Seattle has had to change its starting lineup on defence.
"This is the biggest challenge we've had," Carroll said. "Missing a front-line player like K.J., that's a big deal to us."
Seattle will have a bye after today's game, and the fact the Seahawks have played nine games without a break is starting to show in terms of bumps and bruises.
Eight players sat out practice Thursday. Wright and Carpenter are the only two who have been ruled out for today, though rookie defensive lineman Greg Scruggs is doubtful because of a strained oblique.
As for the Jets (3-5), they have only themselves to blame for the corner they now find themselves in. And after providing assurances this week of postseason play, the stage is set today for either a monumental upset win in Seattle or a devastating blow.
To avoid missing the playoffs for the second straight season, the Jets must do the following: corral a rookie quarterback whose home-field passer rating (120.2) is tops among all NFL signal-callers; shut down a shifty running back who is second in the league in rushing yards (881) and known best for busting through tackles; and finally, defeat a confident Seahawks team that is 5-4 overall but 4-0 at CenturyLink Field.
"It's about as tough of a venue as there is to play in the National Football League, so let's have at it," Jets coach Rex Ryan said.
"Obviously, you go out there with a mission to win. That's what we hit the field to do."
The Seahawks' home-field advantage, and the presence of their dreaded "12th man," is well-documented. But emotions will be running just as high for the Jets in this pressure-packed road environment.
For the Jets to win, quarterback Mark Sanchez, who turns 26 today, must play well. But he'll have to do so opposite his former USC coach - Seattle's Carroll, the man who once declared him unready as a college junior for the bright lights of the NFL. Bragging rights also will be on the line for the Trufant brothers, Isaiah (Jets) and Marcus (Seahawks), who will face each other in competition for the first time.
More importantly, the Jets must prove that there's reason for their fan base to believe the season is not lost.
"We definitely have to win [today]," said Antonio Cromartie, who was the first Jet to declare this week that they "will" make the playoffs.
