Mike Iupati unlikely to play vs. Packers

The left guard position for the Seattle Seahawks post-Steve Hutchinson has been defined by poor play and tons of injuries. Unfortunately, the curse of the poison pill continues into 2020, and we are highly unlikely to see Mike Iupati play against the Green Bay Packers this weekend.

Iupati missed last week against the Philadelphia Eagles with a neck injury, and that problem obviously still persists into this week. Jamarco Jones filled in for him and not coincidentally, the run game was non-existent. Perhaps he’ll have more success against a much worse run defense by DVOA, but Iupati has been pivotal to the rushing attack and Jones literally had never played guard until he replaced D.J. Fluker on the right side of the line in October.

Of greater concern is that left tackles Duane Brown and backup George Fant are both game-time decisions. Brown underwent a minor surgery on his knee a couple of weeks ago and Carroll indicated that it’s possible that he could return at this stage of the playoffs. What we didn’t anticipate was Fant having a groin injury after the Eagles game that puts his status in doubt. Chad Wheeler, just promoted from the practice squad, could be the emergency starter at left tackle if they’re both out.

There’s a chance that Chad Wheeler and backup guard/center Kyle Fuller (an option if Joey Hunt gets hurt) are pass protecting Russell Wilson in a real-life NFL playoff game.

Gulp.