Safety Kam Chancellor, tackle Russell Okung to be game time decisions against Oakland

By Curtis Crabtree

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

RENTON, Wash. _ The Seattle Seahawks could be without starting safety Kam Chancellor and left tackle Russell Okung for Sunday’s game against the Oakland Raiders.

Chancellor (groin) and Okung (calf) were held out of practice Friday and are listed as questionable.

“(Chancellor)’s banged up a little bit. We’ll see what happens. He’ll be worked out on game day to see if he’s ready to go,” head coach Pete Carroll said.

With Chancellor ailing and Jeron Johnson out with a concussion, Seattle only has three healthy safeties on the roster in Earl Thomas, DeShawn Shead and Steven Terrell. Shead would likely start in place of Chancellor if he’s unable to play.

Okung will also be a game day decision with Alvin Bailey likely to replace him in the lineup if he’s ruled out.

Centres Max Unger and Stephen Schilling are also listed as questionable but are expected to be active for the game. Unger has missed the last three games with a sprained foot, with Schilling taking over duties in Unger’s place. However, Schilling didn’t practice Thursday or Friday with a knee injury and Unger was limited all week.

“(Unger) made it through the week and so that’s a really good sign,” Carroll said. “We’ll see how much he can play but we’re happy to have him back out there.”

Patrick Lewis is the only other centre option available to the Seahawks. He only has five regular-season snaps after briefly replacing Schilling in St. Louis earlier this season.

The Seahawks ruled out cornerback Byron Maxwell (calf) and defensive tackle Jordan Hill (ankle) for the third straight week. Linebacker Malcolm Smith is also expected to be out a couple of weeks with a groin injury suffered last week against the Carolina Panthers.

Notes: The Seahawks announced they will wear “MP” decals on their helmets this week in honour of Marysville-Pilchuck High School following a school shooting last Friday. Inactive players, staff and coaches will also wear “MP” lapel pins on the sidelines and the team will hold a moment of silence prior to kickoff.

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