Devon Witherspoon
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Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon will miss his third game this season with a knee injury.
Devon Witherspoon’s return to the Seattle Seahawks lineup was short lived.
The two-time Pro Bowl cornerback was ruled out of the lineup for Seattle’s home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Lumen Field due to a knee injury.
Witherspoon sustained an MCL contusion in the Seahawks‘ 17-13 Week 1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, which cost him Seattle’s subsequent two games.
He returned in Seattle’s Week 4 road game against the Arizona Cardinals, posting nine tackles, one pass defended and a half-sack in the Seahawks’ 23-20 overtime win at State Farm Stadium — for their third straight win that put them in a tie atop the NFC West.
But even though the Seahawks got a mini-bye between the Thursday Night Football game and Sunday’s date against the Bucs, Witherspoon will not even dress.
Devon Witherspoon’s Absence Is A Huge Loss For The Seahawks
Witherspoon may play slot cornerback, but he does so at an elite level. He has a 75.0 overall grade according to Pro-Football Focus, the 14th-best mark among 101 qualifying cornerbacks in 2025.
Still, the Bucs have one of the most prolific passing offenses in the NFL, since quarterback Baker Mayfield is tied for fourth-most touchdown passes (8) and has thrown just one interception. Plus, he has helped the Bucs to a 3-1 record by leading three game-winning drives this season.
The Seahawks gave up just 253 yards to the Cardinals with Witherspoon in the lineup — after holding the 49ers down for much of the afternoon in their first game too.
Luckily for the Seahawks, Witherspoon’s absence will coincide with slot receiver Mike Evans’ injured hamstring, which will force him to miss his second straight game. Plus, starting running back Bucky Irving was also ruled out Friday.
Julian Love Also Ruled Out For Game Against Buccaneers
Veteran safety Julian Love was also ruled out for the game against the Buccaneers on Sunday, meaning Seattle will be down two starting defensive backs.
Love, like Witherspoon, missed Seattle’s 44-13 win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 3 but returned for the win in Arizona in Week 4. Yet, Love is nursing a hamstring injury that will keep him out of the game against Tampa Bay on Sunday.
Love, in his third season with the Seahawks, has 18 tackles and one sack in his three games and has earned a passable 62.3 grade from Pro-Football Focus — the 41st mark of 78 safeties. His prowess at playing a roving-style safety is a big reason why the Seahawks boast the sixth-best run defense (89.8 yards-against per game).
Luckily for Seattle, it will have 2025 second-round draft pick Nick Emmanwori back from injury to fill in for Love. The rookie, who was selected 35th overall out of South Carolina, has missed the past three games due to a high-ankle sprain, which he sustained in the Seahawks‘ opener against the 49ers.
Yet, Emmanwori was a full participant in practice each of the past three days and will suit up for his second NFL game, according to ESPN beat writer Brady Henderson.
Emmanwori had one tackle, a tackle for loss, in his lone game.