The Seattle Seahawks are facing a critical NFC West matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
However, the Seahawks may have to enter without their top receiver. DK Metcalf left the team’s Week 7 game over the Atlanta Falcons with a sprained MCL, leaving his status in doubt.
Below we take a look at Metcalf’s injury and latest status for Week 9.
What Is DK Metcalf’s Injury?
Metcalf’s injury originally occurred late in the third quarter in Week 7 when he landed hard when upended on the sideline.
He was seen trying to test his knee on the sideline, but then he was carted to the locker room.
DK Metcalf carted to the locker room after trying to test out his knee and being examined on the sideline. He’s officially questionable to return pic.twitter.com/ulhorntlCX
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) October 20, 2024
After the game, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Metcalf suffered a Grade 1 MCL sprain and would be considered week to week.
Is Metcalf Playing in Week 9?
We received our answer on Friday, as Metcalf missed his sixth consecutive practice since getting injured. That led to him being ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Rams.
Seahawks have a bye next week, meaning DK Metcalf can rest until Week 11 at San Francisco. https://t.co/CoRnwgIVlC
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 1, 2024
Earlier in the week, head coach Mike Macdonald was surprisingly positive regarding Metcalf’s chances of playing. Macdonald claimed Wednesday that he was “optimistic” Metcalf would be available despite having yet to practice. As it turns out, he won’t be available for the second straight week.
Instead, the Seahawks will take the prudent approach. With a Week 10 bye on the horizon, Metcalf can have three full weeks off before a potential return for an equally important division showdown in Week 11 at the San Francisco 49ers.
How Will Metcalf’s Absence Impact the Seahawks?
Last week, Jaxon Smith-Njigba led the team in targets (seven), receptions (six), and receiving yards (69), with no other wide receiver catching more than one pass. It was a little troubling that the Seahawks’ passing game was so unproductive given that the game script demanded a high-volume passing attack from Geno Smith (68% dropback rate).
However, the Rams present a more favorable matchup than the Buffalo Bills did. Los Angeles ranks 27th in EPA per dropback. The Rams rank 17th in PPR points per game allowed to wide receivers but 31st against tight ends.
SEE MORE: NFL Injury Report
JSN is the clear top target in this passing game, which should be even more solidified with Noah Fant also out. Despite the favorable matchup for tight ends vs. the Rams, it would be a large leap of faith to assume that rookie A.J. Barner will take advantage. The rookie only has 10 catches for 105 yards on the season as the Seahawks’ TE2.
Realistically, the biggest beneficiary is probably Kenneth Walker III. Before the game got out of hand, the Seahawks were less pass-happy than usual without Metcalf last week. Seattle ran on 44% of its first-down plays, its second-highest rate in a game this season.
The Rams are also a below-average run defense, ranking 24th in success rate and 19th in yards per rush allowed. So long as the Seahawks aren’t playing from a massive deficit again, Walker should be the engine of the offense in this game.