Seahawks to lose five starters but welcome back Nwosu and Shaheed against Raiders

The Seattle Seahawks will head into their matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday with a significantly altered roster due to a series of injuries. Head coach Mike Macdonald announced on Friday that the team will be without five key players, including starting quarterback Sam Darnold and a pair of offensive linemen. Despite these setbacks, the coaching staff expressed confidence in the remaining personnel and the readiness of backup quarterback Drew Lock, who is set to start for the fourth time this season.

Darnold, who has been dealing with a quad and rib injury since the team's Week 8 loss, remains on the sideline. Macdonald indicated that Darnold is progressing well in his rehabilitation and could potentially return for the Seahawks' Week 12 contest against the San Francisco 49ers following the team's bye week. The coach noted that the medical staff is monitoring Darnold's recovery closely, aiming to make decisions on a day-to-day basis.

With Darnold out, Drew Lock will again take the helm for the offense. Lock has been managing his own health issues during the week, dealing with a right elbow injury that was complicated by an oblique strain sustained during the team's 17-3 victory over the Arizona Cardinals last week. Although Lock was limited in practice throughout the week, Macdonald reported that the backup quarterback handled his workload well and appears optimistic about his condition.

Lock described his current physical state as positive, noting that his oblique injury is on the right side, which he believes is more manageable for a right-handed quarterback than a left-sided strain. The quarterback compared this experience to a previous injury he suffered with the New York Giants, where a left oblique issue kept him out for two weeks. He stated that the team is effectively managing the situation to ensure he is prepared for the upcoming game.

On the offensive line, the Seahawks will be missing left guard Quenton Nelson, who is out with a knee injury, and left tackle Charles Cross, who is dealing with an ankle issue. Cross did not participate in practice this week, and Macdonald expects him to be ready for the game against the 49ers on November 29. In Cross's absence, Josh Jones will make his third consecutive start at left tackle.

The defensive unit will also see changes, as defensive tackle Leonard Williams will miss his second consecutive game due to a stinger. Although Williams participated in pre-practice warmups on Wednesday and Thursday, he was listed as a non-participant for the rest of the week. Macdonald explained that the injury is related to contact, and while Williams is staying fresh and attending meetings, he is currently unable to play.

In positive news for the Seahawks, outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu and wide receiver and kick returner Rashid Shaheed are expected to return to the active roster. Both players missed the last two games, with Nwosu dealing with an ankle injury and Shaheed with a knee issue. Their return will provide a boost to a defense that has been tested by recent absences.

Additionally, defensive tackle Jarran Reed is expected to play on Sunday after missing two days of practice this week to attend to a personal matter. The Seahawks will also rely heavily on their depth at the quarterback position, with backup Jalen Milroe taking reps with the first offense. Macdonald praised Milroe for his performance during these practice sessions as the team continues to manage the workload of its starters.

The game is scheduled to kick off at 4:05 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on CBS. The Las Vegas Raiders enter the contest with a 4-5 record, while Seattle looks to continue its momentum despite the significant personnel challenges it faces on the field.