Week 4 will challenge the Seahawks’ defensive depth.
Here’s the bad news: The Seattle Seahawks will be missing four key defensive players in Week 4 against a strong Detroit Lions offense. Defensive linemen Leonard Williams (ribs) and Byron Murphy II (hamstring), along with edge rushers Uchenna Nwosu (knee) and Boye Mafe (knee), are out. Notably, both Mafe and Williams rank among the NFL’s top ten in quarterback hits.
This week will put the Seahawks’ defensive depth to the test, challenging head coach Mike Macdonald’s system. While the scheme is effective, the players executing it need to be high-quality, and Mafe, Murphy, and Williams have been standouts this season (though Nwosu has yet to play). Whoever steps in for them will need to perform well, not just fill the space on the field.
In the last three meetings between these teams, the Seahawks have scored at least 37 points per game, twice exceeding 48 points. Seattle’s offense has been the key to winning all three matchups, and they may need another offensive explosion to secure a win in Week 4.
Kenneth Walker’s Week 4 return is some positive injury news for the Seattle Seahawks
Here’s the upside to Seattle’s otherwise grim injury report: running back Kenneth Walker III isn’t on it, meaning he should be fully available to play against the Lions. While Zach Charbonnet filled in adequately as the lead back in Week 3, Walker brings a level of explosiveness that elevates the Seahawks’ offense.
Charbonnet may be reliable for consistent, short gains, but Walker has the ability to break off a 60-yard run at any moment. Defenses need to focus more on him than on Charbonnet. Though the Lions have a strong run defense, allowing just 3.6 yards per carry—the fourth-best in the league—Walker has the game-changing ability to shift momentum with just a few runs.
Even though Walker only managed 43 rushing yards against Detroit last season, he scored two touchdowns on the ground. His presence alone can force the Lions’ defense to stay honest, opening up more opportunities for Geno Smith and the receiving corps. The key to this game may be keeping Seattle’s offense on the field, especially given the mounting injuries on the Seahawks’ defense. Expecting a low-scoring battle in Week 4 might be overly optimistic.
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