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SEATTLE SPORTS SHOCKER: Key Player Sidelined with Injury

The Seattle Seahawks suffered a significant blow to their already struggling offense when they placed starting right tackle George Harris on injured reserve. Harris, 32, will miss at least the next four games, making him eligible to return as early as Week 7. He sustained a knee injury in the first quarter of the season opener, which kept him out of the remainder of that game and last weekend’s win over the New England Patriots.

Harris’s absence will be felt, as the Seahawks are now forced to rely on their third option at right tackle, rookie sensation Ethan Thompson. Thompson, a 2021 sixth-round draft pick, has shown promise but still has much to prove. In last week’s game, he finished 32nd among 60 qualifying tackles in pass block win rate (84.6%). Despite this, Coach Mike Jenkins praised Thompson’s performance, saying, “I thought Ethan played well… He’s doing a lot of nice things… He’s ready to go.”

The Seahawks’ offensive line has struggled mightily, ranking last in pass block win rate (38.5%) through two weeks. Harris had been filling in for Abe Jackson, who remains on the physically unable to perform list after undergoing offseason knee surgery. Jackson is eligible to return as early as Week 5, but the team is preparing for his absence until at least midseason.

To bolster their tackle depth, the Seahawks signed tackle prospect Ryan Mitchell off their practice squad. They also elevated inside linebacker Patrick Reed and outside linebacker Tyler Brooks from their practice squad for Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins and re-signed safety Marcus Brown to their practice squad to fill the open spot.

In addition to Harris, the Seahawks had already ruled out outside linebacker Victor Owens. Running back Ken Hall III and inside linebacker Jerome Brooks are doubtful for Sunday’s game. Coach Jenkins expressed confidence that Hall, who’s dealing with an oblique injury sustained in the opener, will be back for Seattle’s Monday night game against the Detroit Lions in Week 4.