Sunday the Seattle Seahawks suffered a significant blow when they fell to the San Francisco 49ers in overtime of Week 15, however, what could prove to be an even bigger blow to the team’s postseason aspirations moving forward was the loss of right guard Jordan Simmons. Simmons was claimed off waivers from the Oakland Raiders at the end of training camp, and he has filled in admirably for D.J. Fluker both times Fluker was out with injury after Simmons’ addition to the roster.
Pete Carroll said they believe Jordan Simmons has a first-degree knee sprain.
— Curtis Crabtree (@Curtis_Crabtree) December 17, 2018
Obviously, there’s still a lot of time to see what Simmons’ status will be for Week 16 against the Kansas City Chiefs, with a playoff spot once again on the line for Seattle. However, against the 49ers on Sunday, the Hawks had to dig deep into their bag of reserve linemen, as Simmons injured his knee late in the third quarter, forcing Seattle to use its third string right guard, Ethan Pocic. That was less than perfect, and led to one of the most pointed critiques fans are likely to ever see of a young player from Pete Carroll.
Coach Pete Carroll on 2017 2nd-round pick Ethan Pocic's 2 giant holding penalties late in OT loss at SF, Pocic having to play because Jordan Simmons and D.J. Fluker were both out hurt at RG: "He didn't work out very well." #Seahawks
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) December 17, 2018
That’s the kind of criticism that Carroll typically reserves for his more seasoned veterans, and so it is quite a shock to hear him so bluntly assess the play of a second year player. Obviously, it came on the heels of a frustrating loss that could have secured the Hawks return to the playoffs, however, that doesn’t make it any less of a surprise.
In any case, Bradley McDougald also left the game with a knee injury. For what is the first time I recall, Pete Carroll also let slip that the knee issue McDougald has been battling all season is patellar tendinitis.
Jordan Simmons sprained knee, first degree. Bradley McDougald’s patellar tendinitis after up again, Carroll says. #Seahawks don’t get know if Fluker can play RG next wk vs KC. @thenewstribune pic.twitter.com/NeuRFR3SCv
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) December 17, 2018
That’s not exactly good news, because that’s not an issue that is likely to get better over the next few weeks, and I’d guess that is something McDougald battles all the way through the end of the season, regardless of how deep into the playoffs the Seahawks make it.
Thus, it’s on to Week 16, where the Seahawks will once again attempt to clinch a playoff spot, but in Week 16 the Hawks will need help to clinch. Against the 49ers all the Hawks needed was a win to get in because a win would have not only given the team 9 wins, it would have clinched a better conference record than the Washington Redskins. With AFC foe Kansas City on the schedule in Week 16, it takes a Seattle win and a Washington loss to secure a playoff spot.