The San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks can't stay free of major defensive injuries. The 49ers have it much worse, given their injury woes significantly affect both sides of the ball, with key wide receivers out for the offense and key linebackers and ends out for the defense.
The Fred Warners and Nick Bosas of the world are irreplaceable, and yet, the 49ers remain in contention in the NFC West.
Like their division rivals, the [Seahawks have also fallen prey](https://12thmanrising.com/seattle-seahawks-blowout-commanders-instantly-deflated-unfortunate-injury-update) to key defensive injuries since the start of the season. Veterans have missed time, which has allowed younger, lesser-known names to step in and pick up the load. Injuries have paved the way for the next-man-up routine, and it's kept the Seahawks in the mix.
Despite their list of injuries, Seattle has managed to maintain a strong defense — a top-ten-ranked one at that — to support an offense that has generally thrived all season, with Sam Darnold playing MVP-esque football and Jaxon Smith-Njigba emerging as an elite wideout. Unfortunately, these wins have come with losses, and Seattle took two more hits this past weekend.
Devon Witherspoon returns for the Seahawks, while Ernest Jones IV and Josh Jobe suffer injuries
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The defensive effort and efficiency were top-notch on Sunday evening when the Seahawks took down the Washington Commanders with a convincing 38-14 win. It was another display of dominant defensive play that Seattle has shown all season, and it's a significant reason why they are 6-2 and playing playoff-contending football.
Sunday's win didn't come without some hits to their defense, though, as middle linebacker Ernest Jones IV and cornerback Josh Jobe both went down with injuries. Jones suffered a knee injury early in the game and did not return.
Jobe left the game with a concussion and also did not return. Both injuries are significant losses, as both players have played impactful roles this season, while Seattle has endured several injuries in the defensive backfield.
What makes Jobe's injury not as crippling as it could be is the fact that Devon Witherspoon finally made his return to the field after missing from Seattle's defensive backfield since Week 2. Prior to returning against the Commanders, Witherspoon had only played in two games this season, and getting him back was a massive sigh of relief.
While losing Jones for however long he remains sidelined won't necessarily put a huge dent in Seattle's season, the loss of Jobe could affect what Seattle plans to do at the trade deadline.
[Riq Woolen is rumored](https://12thmanrising.com/seattle-seahawks-decision-riq-woolen-might-have-been-sealed-week-9-injury) to be a trade possibility, but now that Jobe is out and there is no present status on him or when he might be cleared to play again, what Seattle does with their cornerback group could be interesting.
Woolen has been rumored to be traded for almost the entire season, but he's also an excellent cornerback that Seattle might not be able to afford to lose right now, given the circumstances. Of course, it's highly probable Seattle instigates a trade and moves forward with who they have, hoping Jobe doesn't miss too much time, if any at all.
Still, in the big picture, given the defensive injuries Seattle has sustained this season, it hasn't affected their play in any detrimental way, which is good news. How long Jones and Jobe are out remains to be seen, but don't expect the Seahawks to lose any momentum defensively.
They are rolling, but it shouldn't come as a surprise if the front office makes a move or two to bolster the defense for the second half of the season.