The Seahawks’ offensive line, benefiting from some recent stability, took a blow Saturday with word that starting left guard James Carpenter will sit out Sunday’s 1 p.m. game against Minnesota with a concussion.
The Seahawks listed Carpenter Friday as questionable with illness, but changed his diagnosis to a concussion Saturday.
The Seahawks’ first-round pick in 2011, Carpenter returned to game action in Week 4 after surgery and rehab on a knee injured in a November practice. Drafted as a tackle, Carpenter was moved to guard and seemed to be improving steadily and started the past five games.
Last’s season’s starting right guard, John Moffitt, is available after recovering from a knee injury that kept him out the past five games. He was listed as Carpenter’s backup, but may start on the right side while starter Paul McQuistan moves to the left side. He started the first three games at let guard. The O-line did not allow a sack last week against Detroit.
Earlier in the week, the Seahawks received some good news when WR Doug Baldwin, figured to be out another week with a sprained ankle, was cleared to play Sunday. The Seahawks lost two other receivers during the week, Ben Obomanu ( wrist, out for the season) and WR Braylon Edwards (knee, out for Minnesota), so undrafted rookie Jermaine Kearse, the former Washington star, was activated from the practice squad and is expected to play.
DT Jason Jones will miss his second game in a row (knee).