The Seattle Seahawks appeared to prove in Week 1 that if the team is going to get back to the playoffs in 2025, the defense is going to have to carry them. Seattle's wide receiver group after Jaxon Smith-Njigba looks extremely limited. But the defense didn't look overly healthy going into Week 2.
12s knew that safety Nick Emmanwori was going to be out. He suffered a high ankle injury early in Week 1, and he could miss several weeks. The loss of Emmanwori isn't as profound as it will be one day. The truth is, the team hasn't gotten used to having him on the field yet.
Devon Witherspoon, on the other hand, is essential to what the Seahawks and head coach Mike Macdonald want to do. Witherspoon is a versatile corner who can play in the slot or outside, as well as being used on blitzes. He is ultra-aggressive and sets the tone for the defense in that way.
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon's status revealed with Week 2 inactives list
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The issue for the Seahawks wouldn't simply be that Witherspoon might have missed Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers and DK Metcalf, but that Emmanwori is also out, and cornerback [Riq Woolen was terrible](https://12thmanrising.com/seattle-seahawks-solution-riq-woolen-problem-coming-october) in Week 1 versus the San Francisco 49ers.
With no Witherspoon, Seattle's secondary would appear to be exceedingly weak. Though Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers didn't throw the ball more than 20 yards more than once in Week 1, he might decide to test a Seahawks secondary that would be exposed with the absences of Witherspoon and Emmanwori, and the poor play of Woolen.
At least, [safeties Julian Love](https://12thmanrising.com/seattle-seahawks-defender-sees-stock-skyrocketing-week-1) and Coby Bryant are fully healthy. The issue is more about what happens in front of them. And thank goodness Josh Jobe has played well when given his chances over the last season-plus.
Here is the terrible news: Witherspoon has been made inactive versus the Steelers. Let's hope Mike Macdonald can dial up something special in his place.
### Seattle Seahawks inactives Week 2 versus the Pittsburgh Steelers:
* Safety Nick Emmanwori
* Tackle/guard Mason Richman
* Tight end Nick Kallerup
* Edge rusher Jared Ivey
* Edge rusher Connor O'Toole
* Cornerback Devon Witherspoon
* Quarterback Jalen Milroe