Seahawks Face Challenges: Two Players Ruled Out, But Key Defensive Reinforcements Are Coming

The Seattle Seahawks anticipate the return of at least two significant defenders for their matchup against the New York Giants on Sunday. Following the absence of five key defensive players in last Monday’s game against the Detroit Lions, the Seahawks have ruled out only two players for Sunday’s home game against the New York Giants. Additionally, two more players are listed as questionable.

Defensive tackles Byron Murphy II (hamstring) and Cameron Young (knee) will miss the game against New York. Outside linebacker Boye Mafe (knee) and safety Julian Love (thigh) are both listed as questionable.

As a result, defensive ends Leonard Williams, inside linebacker Jerome Baker, and outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu—who all missed the game against Detroit—are not listed with any injury concerns for this matchup. However, head coach Mike Macdonald informed reporters after Friday’s practice that Nwosu, who has been out for the first four games due to an MCL sprain sustained in the preseason finale, might still not participate.

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Macdonald did not specify whether Mafe or Love will be available for the game against the Giants, as reported by Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic. Murphy will miss his second consecutive game due to a hamstring injury he sustained during Seattle’s Week 3 victory over Miami.

Young, a second-year player, was cleared to return to practice from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list on Wednesday. He has been sidelined since suffering a knee injury toward the end of the 2023 season. The Seahawks have a 21-day period to activate Young; otherwise, he will revert to the PUP list for the remainder of the season.

Mafe was unable to play in last week’s game against Detroit due to the same injury. Love started in the game against the Lions but had to leave early due to a thigh injury and did not return. Mafe was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice, while Love fully participated.