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          NFL Nation

          Seahawks' Bobby Wagner, Luke Joeckel expected to play vs. Arizona despite questionable designations

          • Brady Henderson, ESPNDec 30, 2017, 12:09 AM
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              Brady Henderson is a reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Henderson covers the Seattle Seahawks. He joined ESPN in 2017 covering the team for Seattle Sports 710-AM. You can follow him via Twitter @BradyHenderson.

          RENTON, Wash. -- The Seattle Seahawks are in relatively good shape health-wise heading into their must-win regular-season finale.

          Pro Bowl middle linebacker Bobby Wagner and starting left guard Luke Joeckel are listed as questionable but are both expected to play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals at CenturyLink Field (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox), according to coach Pete Carroll.

          The Seahawks (9-6) need a victory and an Atlanta Falcons loss to the Carolina Panthers at home in order to make the postseason as the No. 6 seed. Unless both of those things happen, Seattle will miss out on the playoffs for the first time since the 2011 season.

          Wagner was listed as a limited participant Friday after sitting out of practice Wednesday and Thursday. He's missed practice regularly to rest a hamstring that has bothered him since around midseason.

          "He's in good shape. He's ready to go," Carroll said. "We did it the right way to get him through the week. This is the best he's been. ... So we're in good shape."

          Joeckel hurt his foot in Seattle's Christmas Eve win over the Dallas Cowboys, but Carroll said he's "fine." Joeckel also sat out the first two days of practice this week and was limited Friday.

          Tight end is one question mark for Seattle with backups Luke Willson and Nick Vannett both listed as questionable. Carroll said Willson suffered a "minor" ankle sprain in practice this week and will be a game-time decision. Vannett (back) was added to the injury report after Carroll spoke, so his situation is unclear.

          Free safety Earl Thomas (knee/illness) and running back Eddie Lacy (illness) didn't practice Friday, though they're not listed as either out, doubtful or questionable, indicating that they're expected to play. Defensive lineman Michael Bennett and backup tackle Matt Tobin also missed practice time this week because of an illness.

          Seattle ruled two players out: defensive tackle Nazair Jones and linebacker D.J. Alexander. Jones, a part of Seattle's defensive-line rotation when healthy, will miss his fifth consecutive game because of a high ankle sprain. Alexander, a key special-teams player, has yet to clear the concussion protocol.