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Though the second-year tackle made significant progress this week recovering from a sprained big toe, the Seattle Seahawks will officially be without Charles Cross when they travel to face the Detroit Lions in Sunday's Week 2 road opener.
After exiting last Sunday's 30-13 loss to the Rams early in the second half, Cross did not practice at all this week, putting his status in serious doubt. Speaking on KIRO 97.3 FM on Friday morning, coach Pete Carroll ruled the former top-10 draft choice out, meaning the Seahawks will be without both of their starting tackles after placing Abraham Lucas on injured reserve earlier in the week.
According to Carroll, Cross may have a chance to be ready to return against the Panthers in Week 3. As for Lucas, the second-year tackle underwent a knee procedure and a timetable for his return remains unknown, though he will be required to miss a minimum of four games on injured reserve.
“It takes a little bit of time, we gotta see how it goes with him," Carroll said of Lucas' recovery, noting several other Seahawks have had the same surgery and done well bouncing back in the past.
Without Cross or Lucas available, Seattle will start the combination of Stone Forsythe and Jake Curhan, who each stepped in for the two starters in the second half of last week's defeat. Carroll said that veteran Jason Peters, who signed on Tuesday, won't be elevated from the practice squad this week and needs a bit more time to get ready to play. Recently signed rookies McClendon Curtis and Raiqwon O'Neal may also be possibilities to dress as emergency backups if needed.
Along with Cross, the Seahawks won't have the services of safety Jamal Adams, who returned to practice as a limited participant this week and looks to be closing in on his 2023 debut. But the team has made it clear they won't rush him back throughout the rehab process and after another week of practice, if all goes well, he may have a shot to play against the Panthers next weekend.
Additionally, rookie defensive tackle Mike Morris also has been ruled out with a lingering shoulder injury. The fifth-round pick out of Michigan played in the season opener last week, but with the injury still bothering him, Carroll said the Seahawks are "gathering information" on him and his status remains up in the air for now.
After missing practice time this week, linebacker Devon Bush and edge rusher Boye Mafe received questionable designations and according to Carroll, each will be a game-time decision. Bush was limited on Friday due to a shoulder injury, while Mafe missed two out of Seattle's three practices this week nursing a knee injury suffered during Sunday's opener against Los Angeles.
If neither player is available, the Seahawks could elevate linebacker Jon Rhattigan from the practice squad for a second straight week. In place of Mafe, second-year rusher Tyreke Smith would be active after being a healthy scratch last week, while rookie Levi Bell could be a practice squad elevation possibility for extra depth if needed.
On the positive news front, after missing Seattle's opener and the entire preseason with a hamstring injury, rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon practiced in full all week and wasn't listed on the final injury report. The top-five pick out of Illinois will finally make his much-anticipated team debut against Detroit, likely to see snaps in the slot as well as the boundary in his first NFL game action.
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