CURTIS CRABTREE
Associated Press
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks will be without four key starters Sunday against the St. Louis Rams.
The Seahawks officially ruled out tight end Zach Miller, middle linebacker Bobby Wagner, center Max Unger and cornerback Byron Maxwell on Friday.
In addition, reserve defensive linemen Cassius Marsh and Jordan Hill also have been ruled out.
It leaves Seattle (3-2) short-handed as it attempts to rebound from a loss Sunday to the Dallas Cowboys — the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks’ second loss at home in the last three seasons.
Marsh broke a bone on the outside of his foot during practice Wednesday. Coach Pete Carroll said it was a non-contact injury suffered while coming off the snap. The injury is expected to require surgery with a recovery time expected to be at least six weeks.
Tight end Luke Willson is questionable because of a groin injury also suffered this week in practice. He’s expected to be a game-time decision.
“We rested him again today and we’ll take it all the way to game-time to make sure he’s OK,” Carroll said.
However, if Willson can’t play, Seattle’s only healthy tight end currently on the roster in third-string option Cooper Helfet.
With the myriad of injuries right now, the Seahawks may have to make a roster move with Marsh to bring another healthy tight end onto the roster for this week.
“We’ll see,” Carroll said when asked if a move was forthcoming.
Wagner has a cast on his injured right foot after suffering a turf toe injury against Dallas.
“He’s got one of those turf toe injuries that are really problematic and it’s going to take him a while to get back,” Carroll said.
Cornerback Tharold Simon is expected to make his NFL debut after missing all of 2013 and the first six weeks this season due to injuries. Simon will get significant playing time in place of Maxwell, though Carroll wouldn’t disclose whether Simon or Marcus Burley will get the start.
“He had an excellent week and we’ll expect him to play,” Carroll said. “He did a fine job and looked exactly back on course. He’s had a good amount of time to recover and he’s worked really hard to get here. He did fine this week and we’re thinking he’s going to be just fine. We’re not worried about him at all.”
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