<
>

Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams back; RBs Chris Carson, Carlos Hyde out

The Seattle Seahawks will get All-Pro safety Jamal Adams back from his four-game absence but will be without running backs Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.

The Seahawks (6-1) ruled out Carson, Hyde and four others: defensive end Benson Mayowa (ankle), cornerback Shaquill Griffin (concussion/hamstring), nickelback Ugo Amadi (hamstring) and left guard Mike Iupati (back).

No other Seahawks had game designations on the team's final injury report, meaning they're expected to play against Buffalo (6-1).

The absences of Carson (foot) and Hyde (hamstring) for the second week in a row leaves the Seahawks with rookie DeeJay Dallas and Travis Homer as the only healthy tailbacks currently on their 53-man roster. They signed Alex Collins to their practice squad on Wednesday and could elevate him for game day.

Carson didn't test his sprained foot on Friday as initially planned.

"He couldn't make it today," coach Pete Carroll said. "Today was going to be the day we tried to decide where he was and they didn't feel like it was right to bring him out there today, so we've got to leave him home, take care of him and get him ready for next week."

Dallas -- whom Seattle drafted in the fourth round as a change-of-pace, pass-catching back -- made his first career start last week in Seattle's win over the 49ers. He ran for 41 yards on 18 carries and caught five passes for 17 yards with a rushing and a receiving touchdown.

Homer only played seven offensive snaps while hobbling on a bruised knee. He didn't practice Wednesday and was limited Thursday and Friday.

Collins spent his rookie season with the Seahawks in 2016 and hasn't played in an NFL game since 2018. He joined Seattle's practice squad on Wednesday.

"He had a terrific week for us and was really impressive," Carroll said of Collins. "He kind of fell right back into the flow of things here and we feel very comfortable with him playing [Sunday] even though he hasn't been practicing in all this time. We feel good about him. He's got his head in the right place for it."

Adams' return as well as the addition of pass-rusher Carlos Dunlap could be significant boosts for a defense that allowed the most yards through six games in NFL history before showing signs of improvement last week. Another defensive end, Rasheem Green, is ready to come off injured reserve after what Carroll called "a fantastic couple of weeks" in practice.

Adams has been sidelined since injuring his groin in Week 3. He was on track to return last week before a non-COVID-19 illness set him back. He was a full participant Friday and won't be on any snap count Sunday, according to Carroll.

"He reported coming off the rehab really fit and so he looked great this week," Carroll said. "He was flying. I don't see any reason to restrict him at all."

The Seahawks acquired Dunlap in a trade with the Cincinnati Bengals last week but had to get him through the NFL's COVID-19 intake process before he could practice for the first time with Seattle on Wednesday. Carroll said the time off allowed Dunlap to familiarize himself with Seattle's defense enough to make a "seamless" transition.

"He's been all lit up and having fun with everybody during the week trying to figure out how this thing works and all, and so he's going to be excited to see the weekend and the buildup to the game with our team," Carroll said. "I'm counting on him to show up and do well."

Less clear is when veteran defensive tackle Damon Harrison will make his Seahawks debut. Carroll reiterated that it's no longer a matter of Harrison needing to work his way back into football shape, which he has done since signing to Seattle's practice squad on Oct. 7. The issue now is finding an opportunity to play him.

"Our guys have been doing a nice job and we haven't felt like sitting anybody down yet for him to get up, but he's ready, ready to go," Carroll said. "So as soon as the opportunity pops, he's going to jump in. He's looking good. He's worked really hard to get himself in great shape and he's starting to really come around."

The Seahawks have Jarran Reed, Poona Ford and Bryan Mone at defensive tackle.

"Really just in fairness to the other guys that have been working really hard too; they're healthy and all that," Carroll said. "We really have three guys that play at the inside spot and so it just hasn't quite popped yet. It's a long season. We've got a lot of games yet."

Iupati will miss his fourth straight game while Griffin, Mayowa and Amadi will each miss their second straight. Carroll called it a high-ankle sprain for Mayowa.