Having already allowed the most passing yards through a team's first three games in NFL history, the Seattle Seahawks' beleaguered secondary will be missing All-Pro strong safety Jamal Adams and cornerback Quinton Dunbar for Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins.
The Seahawks (3-0) ruled out another defensive starter, first-round pick Jordyn Brooks, and signed Shaquem Griffin off their practice squad for depth at linebacker/edge-rusher.
Running backs Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde are among six Seahawks listed as questionable, though coach Pete Carroll sounds confident that both will be available Sunday. Carson suffered what Carroll called a first-degree knee strain in last week's win over the Dallas Cowboys, but he was a full participant in practice Friday after limited participation the previous two days. Hyde, Carson's primary backup, was limited all week and wore a red no-contact jersey as Seattle tried to protect his sore shoulder.
Carroll told Seattle's KIRO Radio 97.3 FM that Carson "was able to really show us that he was ready."
"He did fine," Carroll said of Carson in his afternoon news conference. "We've got him listed as questionable. He was on the ground after a play last week, so we've got to make sure that he's OK, but he had a good solid week and we'll go all the way to game time to make sure that he feels really confident and all. But he looks good, and he took plays yesterday and today."
Also questionable for Seattle are cornerbacks Shaquill Griffin (shoulder) and Neiko Thorpe (hip), right guard Damien Lewis and safety Lano Hill (back). Carroll said Griffin is ready to go and sounded confident in Lewis as well, saying the rookie third-round pick did a "marvelous job" this week after spraining his ankle against Dallas. Hill was limited Wednesday, then didn't practice the past two days.
Carroll said Cody Barton will start at linebacker for Brooks. Tre Flowers will likely start for Dunbar at right cornerback. If Hill can't play, Ryan Neal would be a candidate to start for Adams. He sealed Seattle's win over Dallas with an interception of Dak Prescott's final attempt. Carroll said safety Damarious Randall showed enough since joining Seattle's practice squad on Wednesday that he could play against Miami if needed.
A new rule this season allows teams to elevate up to two players from their practice squad just for game day. That's what the Seahawks did last week with Shaquem Griffin, who earned an indefinite spot on their 53-man roster with a strong showing in 17 defensive snaps against Dallas. Griffin, the first player with one hand to be drafted in the NFL's modern era, had a QB hit, a pass defensed and a tackle for loss that was negated by a penalty.
Brooks (knee) and Adams (groin) suffered what Carroll called first-degree strains against Dallas while Dunbar (knee) missed the game. Seattle has a bye in Week 7 after playing the Minnesota Vikings next week.
The Seahawks have allowed 1,292 passing yards this season, easily the most through three games of a season in NFL history, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. The 2011 New England Patriots allowed the second most at 1,131.