Jason

Peters

The Seahawks are close to full strength as they fight to stay alive in the NFC playoff picture. They’ll need a win and a loss by the Packers to back their way into the seven-seed.

Peters left the game just before halftime. He appeared to be in pain while leaving the field and eventually made his way to the blue medical tent. Seattle listed him as questionable to return but he hasn’t been on the field since, so it’s safe to assume Stone Forsythe will handle right tackle duties for the remainder of the game.

Peters has pitched in at right tackle in each of the past three weeks. Signed to the practice squad at the beginning of the year, Seattle needed to add him to the 53-man roster if they wanted him to get him in any more games this year. The 41-year-old veteran will now be a part of the game-day roster permanently and will serve as a valuable swing tackle for Seattle.

Peters was signed to the practice squad earlier this week with the hopes he’d be ready to get promoted and play in Week 2. Now, Carroll says Peters isn’t quite ready to play yet, which means the Seahawks will look to Jake Curhan and Stone Forsythe to man the tackle positions this weekend. Geno Smith and the Seahawks could have their hands full against a Lions pass rush that pressured Patrick Mahomes 20 times in Week 1.

Carroll said both tackles are hurting, but it’s also too soon to bring up Jason Peters from the practice squad. Peters was signed earlier this week but will remain on the Seahawks practice squad until he is fully up to speed. Seattle also added offensive tackle Raiqwon O’Neal from the Bucs practice squad to their active roster. It’s a nightmare scenario for Geno Smith, a quarterback who thrives in structure and when defenses let him get in a rhythm. Though Detroit’s defense may not be the most formidable in the league, they should be able to get to Smith a few times on Sunday.

The former All-Pro last saw action as a guard for the Cowboys during the 2022 season. The future Hall of Famer will look to provide depth and mentorship to a young Seahawks’ offensive line. With Seahawks’ offensive tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas going out with injuries in Week 1, Peters provides a proven body who could be on the field sooner rather than later.

Carroll would not elaborate beyond that but did say the team had yet to host Peters for a visit. The 41-year-old tackle last played for the Cowboys but struggled through an injury-riddled season, which makes sense considering his advanced age. Either way, Seattle is on the hunt for what they feel might be the missing piece up front in the wake of both starting tackles departing with injuries Sunday.

Tyler Smith will play left tackle for Dallas against the 49ers, with Connor McGovern inside at left guard. Peters has played fairly well when healthy, with a 70.2 PFF blocking grade, but the Cowboys haven’t downgraded much with him out.

Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News noted on Thursday that Peters “sounds unlikely to play” after the veteran left tackle is set to miss his second practice of the week. Peters was the only DNP on the Cowboys’ injury report on Wednesday and could be the only player to sit out Thursday’s practice. It’s safe to assume Peters won’t suit up on Sunday unless we hear otherwise.

Tyler Smith moved from left guard to left tackle as Peters’ replacement. He played nearly a flawless game in place of Peters. If Peters is unable to return in the Divisional Round, Smith will likely start at left tackle next week.