Julian

Love

It’s an “every little bit” counts for a banged-up Seahawks defense vs. an elite but struggling 49ers offense. Inactive for the ‘Hawks are CB Riq Woolen, LB Trevis Gipson, C Olu Oluwatiki, OG Sataoa Laumea, DT Byron Murphy II, WR Dareke Young and EDGE Myles Adams.

The Seahawks released a practice report estimation after holding a walk-through practice Tuesday, ahead of a Thursday showdown against the 49ers. First-round pick Byron Murphy is still out with a hamstring injury while LB Derick Hall (foot), and CB Riq Woolen (ankle) were also estimated non-participants and S Julian Love (hamstring) was listed as limited. After a rough loss to the Giants, the Seahawks defense is far from full strength to start Week 6.

Seahawks S Julian Love (thigh) is also questionable, though multiple defenders appear ready to return. LB Jerome Baker (hamstring), LB Uchenna Nwosu (knee), EDGE Leonard Williams (ribs) and LB Derick Hall (hip) enter the game without injury designations.

Love was entering the second season of a two-year, $12 million deal with the Seahawks, and is now extended for three more years. He cashes in after his first season in Seattle saw him tally four interceptions and 10 passes defended while receiving a Pro Bowl nod. Love spent four seasons with the Giants prior to signing with the Seahawks, becoming a starter in the secondary more recently while also playing some special teams. The three-year extension indicates the Seahawks are confident in Love continuing to hold down the back end of the secondary while they move on from Jamal Adams.

According to head coach Pete Carroll Adams is “as close as you can get” to playing in Week 3. It doesn’t sound like Adams is a lock to go on Sunday, but Carroll also added that he is very likely to play in Week 4 against the Giants if he’s unable to go this week.

In addition to Bryant, CB Tariq Woolen (chest) and S Julian Love (hamstring) also missed practice. Woolen was already reported to likely miss Week 3 and Bryant and Love’s injuries leave Seattle’s secondary thin. The team promoted CB Artie Burns from its practice squad to remedy the injuries for a Week 3 matchup against the Panthers.

There were reported extension talks between love and the Giants last week, but the versatile safety met the Seahawks yesterday and reached an agreement within a day. The former fourth-round pick made occasional starts for three seasons before taking over the starting gig full-time in 2022. Unsurprisingly, he set career highs in a number of stats including interceptions (two), sacks (one), and TFLs (six). Love played on nearly every defensive snap for New York last year and tallied 124 tackles.

Love saw significant work both in the slot and at free safety for the Giants last season. A safety capable of also playing in the box, his versatility makes him an interesting player for the Seahawks, who boasts similar skillsets at a higher level. Love totaled a career-high 124 tackles and six TFLs last season, and should be one of the more coveted free agents on the market.

With Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley under contract, New York has turned its attention to re-signing Love. The fourth-year safety set career highs with 124 tackles, six TFLs, and two interceptions in his first year as a starter and there’s mutual interest in him returning with the Giants. It’s expected to take a $7 million per year deal for the Giants to keep Love.

Tagging Saquon Barkley ($10M) is in doubt after Barkley rejected a $12 million per year deal from the Giants during the season. That leaves the tag an option for Love, who set career highs with 124 tackles, six TFLs, and two interceptions in his first year as a starter. The Giants don’t have the cap room to franchise Love ($14M) but could pivot to a Love extension if they move on from Barkley.