SEATTLE
Out
RB Marshawn Lynch (abdomen)
WR Paul Richardson (hamstring)
Doubtful
OLB Bruce Irvin (knee)
Questionable
C Patrick Lewis (ankle/knee)
Probable
T Garry Gilliam (ankle)
G JR Sweezy (shoulder)
WR Doug Baldwin (ankle)
RB Thomas Rawls (knee)
DE Michael Bennett (NIR)
PITTSBURGH
Questionable
LB Ryan Shazier (knee)
TE Matt Spaeth (knee)
Probable
LB James Harrison (knee)
CB Brandon Boykin (ankle)
LB Terrance Garvin (knee)
S Shamarko Thomas (knee)
S Shamarko Thomas (knee)
With Marshawn Lynch’s status at definitively “out” for this game, Thomas Rawls is set to start against a Steelers run defense currently ranked #8 in the league. The Steelers will be more prepared to key in on Rawls than the Bears, Niners, and Bengals were. Don’t expect another 200-yard outburst on Sunday, but do expect the Seahawks’ game plan to lean heavily on the bruising rookie.
Paul Richardon’s troublesome hamstring will keep him from the field on Sunday. It was good to see a flash of his speed last week on his lone catch, but Tyler Lockett is playing a similar role and doing it better this year. Bruce Irvin’s sprained MCL means Mike Morgan will fill in at outside linebacker again.
The one player we’ll be watching the most this week is Jeremy Lane. He’s finally returning to action after two devastating injuries on one play in the Super Bowl. His return will force struggling Cary Williams down the depth chart, and rightfully so. The Seahawks will need all the help they can get in stopping Pittsburgh’s potent passing offense that’s averaging 25.6 points per game with Ben Roethlisberger under center.
