The Seattle Seahawks will have to wait at least another month before they get their secondary back to full strength.
The Seahawks placed veteran safety Julian Love (hamstring) and run-blocking tight end Eric Saubert (calf) on injured reserve Saturday among a series of roster moves. That means both players are required to miss at least the next four games. The earliest they could return would be Week 13, when Seattle hosts the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 30.
Why the Seahawks aren’t getting more national attention
Love, a 2023 Pro Bowler, had already missed four of Seattle’s first seven games this season. The Seahawks had hoped Love could return to the lineup this week, but head coach Mike Macdonald said he experienced a setback in his recovery during last week’s bye.
The Seahawks haven’t had Love, two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Devon Witherspoon and talented rookie safety Nick Emmanwori on the field together since the opening defensive series of Week 1.
Witherspoon, who has missed five of seven games, is set to return for Sunday night’s Week 9 road matchup against the Washington Commanders. Emmanwori missed nearly four full games before returning in Week 5.
Saubert had played in all seven games this season, serving as Seattle’s third tight end behind AJ Barner and Elijah Arroyo. Saubert, a nine-year NFL veteran, ranks 24th out of 75 tight ends in Pro Football Focus run block grading.
Additional roster moves
The Seahawks also activated rookie fullback Robbie Ouzts off injured reserve and signed safety Jerrick Reed II from the practice squad to the 53-man roster ahead of Sunday night’s game against the Commanders.
Ouzts missed the past four games with an ankle injury before returning to practice this week. As a 6-foot-3, 274-pound run-blocking force, his return could boost a struggling Seahawks rushing attack that ranks 31st in the league in yards per carry.
In addition, Seattle elevated wide receivers Cody White and Ricky White III from the practice squad for Sunday’s game, which gives the Seahawks some much-needed depth in a banged-up receiver room. Seattle already ruled out receivers Jake Bobo (Achilles) and Dareke Young (quad) on Friday’s game status report, while receiver Cooper Kupp (heel, hamstring) was listed as questionable.
Seattle Seahawks news and analysis
• Seahawks Injury Report: 5 out, 2 questionable vs Commanders
• Stacy Rost: 3 numbers that matter for Seahawks-Commanders
• How Seattle Seahawks’ talented rookie draft class has fared
• How Seattle Seahawks can take advantage of Commanders’ defense
• Where the Seattle Seahawks stand in NFL power rankings