OUWA – Seahawks give right guard Damien Lewis a surprise start at center for the primary time in his football career. In a surprise move, the Seahawks opened the sport with their third different starting center in three weeks, going with rookie Damien Lewis in situ of the injured Ethan Pocic and Kyle Fuller. (Read also What we learned in Seahawks’ convert Cardinals on Thursday night)
Fuller started against the Rams with Pocic out with a concussion, but he suffered a high ankle sprain within the half last week. He made it through the sport but was listed as questionable in the week, and Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Wednesday that he would be available “if we’d like him.’’
That appeared to hint at other plans at the center, though the selection of Lewis was surprising.
Lewis, a third-round detect of LSU, started the primary nine games at right guard and has never started a game at center. Lewis played solely guard during his two years at LSU also like his two seasons at Northwest Mississippi junior college.
The Seahawks activated Phil Haynes off injured reserve Wednesday, and he worked because of the backup center. Fuller was in uniform but seemed to move just for an emergency.
With Lewis starting at center, the Seahawks started Jamarco Jones at right guard in Lewis’ place. Jones had three previous regular-season starts, two at right guard and one at left tackle, and began both playoff games last year at left guard.
The other three offensive line spots stayed an equivalent — left tackle Duane Brown, left guard Mike Iupati, and right guard Brandon Shell.
Lewis had some predictable struggles within the half, abandoning a sack on the primary drive and a nasty snap that became a fumble on the second.
Later within the half, Lewis had a false start when he seemed to forget the snap count and also was involved in a hold that negated a 43-yard pass from Russell Wilson to DK Metcalf, though replays caused some questions on the veracity of the penalty.
Carroll said in the week that Pocic had made some significant improvement in the week, but that the short week for a Thursday game didn’t allow him time to urge back.
The Seahawks likely relying on Pocic to return for its next game, Nov. 30 at Philadelphia when Lewis could return to his usual right-guard spot.
Chris Carson sits out fourth straight game
The Seahawks had hoped that Chris Carson might return for Thursday night’s game against Arizona, though he was listed as questionable.
Carson was among the team’s seven inactive players, missing his fourth straight since suffering a midfoot sprain during the primary game against Arizona on Oct. 25.
“We thought Chris could also be ready to go,’’ head John Schneider said during the team’s pregame radio show. “Unfortunately he’s unable to travel .’’
The Seahawks’ other inactive players were center Pocic (concussion), cornerback Shaquill Griffin (hamstring), back Travis Homer (wrist/thumb/knee), guard Jordan Simmons (calf), and two healthy scratches in end Colby Parkinson and defensive end Jonathan Bullard.
With Carson and Homer inactive, the Seahawks had three running backs in Carlos Hyde, DeeJay Dallas, and Bo Scarbrough, who was elevated off the practice squad on Thursday.
Carson was the leading rusher among the Seahawks’ running backs with 323 yards, but he was surpassed last week by quarterback Russell Wilson because of the team’s leading rusher. Wilson had 325 entering the sport.
Seahawks place Quinton Dunbar on IR
The Seahawks made a couple of roster moves Thursday a couple of hours before kickoff against the Cardinals, including placing cornerback Quinton Dunbar on injured reserve.
Dunbar has addressed a knee injury all season and can miss his second straight game against Arizona. happening IR means he will need to miss a minimum of two more before he would have an opportunity to return, meaning a Dec. 13 game reception against the NY Jets.
The Seahawks signed Jayson Stanley off the practice squad to require his place on the 53-player roster. Stanley has been on the practice squad and already elevated twice to play on game day. Stanley played a combined 32 snaps on special teams against the 49ers and Bills and played on special teams again early Thursday.
The Seahawks also elevated defensive tackle Damon “Snacks’’ Harrison and Scarbrough off the practice squad for the sport.
It was Harrison’s second PS elevation, so he will need to be signed to the 53-player roster. the sport marked Scarbrough’s first elevation.
The Seahawks elevated Alex Collins the past fortnight, but he hit his limit of elevations, in order that they had to travel with Scarbrough against Arizona to possess a 3rd back available.
Scarborough came to the sport early working because of the backup to Hyde with rookie DeeJay Dallas working within the third-down/two-minute back role usually filled by Homer.
With Dunbar on IR and Griffin again out meant the Seahawks went with Tre Flowers and D.J. Reed as their two starting cornerbacks.
