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The Seahawks found themselves down a starting linebacker, following Bruce Irvin’s season-ending torn ACL suffered in Week 2. Seattle could have gone in a few different directions to replace Irvin, who fills several roles. To begin with, they will turn to the most obvious choice, in rookie first-round pick Jordyn Brooks.
Pete Carroll told reporters on Wednesday that Brooks would be the third starter alongside Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright, though his exact spot is undetermined.
Carroll says Jordyn Brooks will start at linebacker this week but leaves vague if he will specifically be the SLB or if they might use KJ Wright there. But, Brooks will start to fill in for Bruce Irvin in some capacity.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) September 23, 2020
Wherever Brooks plays, however, Carroll sounds confident he is ready for the chance.
Below is what Pete Carroll said about Jordyn Brooks' readiness to step into the Seahawks' starting lineup.
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) September 23, 2020
And here again is a story from April on how Brooks' selection in the first round was a surprise to many observers but less of one in NFL circles: https://t.co/PcVNTKniqI pic.twitter.com/5KvmKQQQ02
Both in training camp and his 15 defensive snaps in the regular season, Brooks has played at WILL linebacker—in place of Wright. Though Irvin was the starter at SAM before going down, it’s more likely Brooks comes in at WILL while Wright, the most experienced player in the Seahawks’ defense, moves to SAM (a position he has previously played).
After Brooks’ selection in the draft, GM John Schneider mentioned the possibility of Wright moving to SAM linebacker. Now, it appears he may be doing so—just not under the circumstances anyone had hoped for.