The choice made by the Seattle Seahawks to bring in veteran offensive lineman Quenton Nelson was expected to significantly enhance their offensive line. However, just a single game into his time with Seattle, the eight-time Pro Bowl guard is now dealing with an unexpected absence that may carry on past Sunday’s contest against the Arizona Cardinals.
Moreover, starting quarterback Sam Darnold might also find himself sidelined for an extended period.
Head coach Mike Macdonald revealed on Friday that Nelson will be undergoing a minor knee surgery and will be considered week-to-week.
Also, on Sunday morning, ESPN indicated that Darnold, who will be substituted by Drew Lock for Sunday’s Week 9 game against Arizona, might be unavailable for Week 10 against the Raiders due to issues with his quad and broken rib.
For Darnold, Seattle will have to simply wait and monitor the situation.
What about Nelson?
Despite this setback, Seattle has no plans to put their latest offensive line addition on injured reserve, maintaining the possibility of a return in the near future.
“There’s a timeline right now that warrants not IR, so that’s what we’re going to do,” Macdonald mentioned, clarifying the team’s rationale for keeping Nelson off the injured reserve list.
The injury itself was not entirely new upon Nelson’s arrival in Seattle. According to Macdonald, the veteran already had a knee issue when the Seahawks brought him over from the Indianapolis Colts. A further assessment revealed that this problem had escalated since the trade.
“He had something that he was dealing with when he got here, and we re-imaged it and it was aggravated to some degree,” Macdonald detailed. “We’ve done the due diligence, and everyone agrees the best course of action is to address it now and consider the long-term benefits.”
The decision to handle this matter promptly is particularly crucial for a Seattle squad intent on bolstering its offensive line as the season progresses. Nelson, at 30 years old, has made a name for himself as one of the top interior offensive linemen in the NFL throughout his career, making his participation a key element in the Seahawks’ strategy.
Nelson played every offensive snap during his debut for Seattle against the Chicago Bears on Monday night, resulting in a 34-17 loss. His sudden absence means the Seahawks will have to make further adjustments to their offensive line configurations.
Rookie Grey Zabel will revert to left guard, while Anthony Bradford will reenter the starting lineup at right guard. Zabel had previously shifted to the right side to make space for Nelson after his arrival.
Macdonald admitted that Seattle (4-4) contemplated keeping Zabel at right guard but ultimately determined that having both players return to their familiar positions was the most logical approach given the uncertainty surrounding Nelson’s return.
The Seahawks are already facing several notable injuries as they head into Sunday’s matchup, including those of Darnold and left tackle Charles Cross. The loss of Nelson adds another hurdle for an offense that needs consistent performance upfront.
While the timing is far from optimal, Seattle is focusing on ensuring Nelson’s long-term health rather than rushing his return. With a bye week coming up after the next game, the Seahawks are hopeful that the procedure will facilitate a quicker reintegration of their valued acquisition into the lineup.
