Jeron Johnson expected to get first career start in place of injured Kam Chancellor
By Curtis Crabtree
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
RENTON, Wash. _ Safety Jeron Johnson is expected to get his first career start in place of the injured Kam Chancellor this Sunday against the New York Giants.
Chancellor is likely to miss his second straight game after injuring his groin in practice prior to last week’s 30-24 victory over the Oakland Raiders. Chancellor is listed as doubtful.
“He’s very close to being ready but still we’ve got to make sure and take care of him for the long haul,” head coach Pete Carroll said of Chancellor.
Johnson has spent the last four years serving as the primary backup to Chancellor at strong safety. However, a concussion kept Johnson out as well for last week’s game against the Raiders, which took away his first chance to start in place of Chancellor.
“I’ve definitely been waiting on this opportunity,” Johnson said. “I can’t even downplay it and make it seem like it’s less than what it is. I’ve got to just step in and be myself.”
Centre Max Unger and left tackle Russell Okung are both expected to return to the starting lineup this week. Unger missed the last four games with a sprained foot while Okung sat out last week with a calf strain.
“It was great to have Max in the middle there and Russell finished this week so both of those guys will play,” Carroll said. “That’s an obvious positive for us, we are grateful to have those guys back.”
Left guard James Carpenter is listed as doubtful with Alvin Bailey expected to start in his place this week.
Backup centre Stephen Schilling (knee) and linebacker Malcolm Smith (groin) are also listed as doubtful this week. Tight end Zach Miller (ankle) and linebacker Bobby Wagner (turf toe) were officially ruled out.
Cornerback Jeremy Lane is expected to return to the lineup from the injured reserve list for Sunday’s game against the Giants. Lane has missed the last eight weeks after suffering a groin injury in Week 1 against Green Bay. The Seahawks will need to make a roster move to put Lane on the 53-man roster prior to Sunday.
Cornerbacks Byron Maxwell (calf) and Marcus Burley (hamstring) are both listed as questionable. Running back Marshawn Lynch is probable after missing the first two days of practice this week with a calf injury.
