Good news for the Seahawks: Cornerback Devon Witherspoon fully participated in Thursday’s practice after dealing with a surprising foot injury.

On the downside, DK Metcalf remained sidelined, continuing to watch from the sidelines.

Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald expressed hope on Wednesday that Metcalf would join practice on Thursday as he recovers from an MCL sprain in his knee, which he sustained two weeks ago against Atlanta.

However, Thursday marked the fifth consecutive practice Metcalf missed, increasing the likelihood that he could be absent for a second straight game on Sunday when the Seahawks take on the Rams.

Metcalf’s absence was felt last week against Buffalo, where there was a noticeable decrease in downfield passing. The Seahawks’ longest completed pass was a 20-yarder to backup tight end AJ Barner, and Buffalo’s defensive backs played aggressively, aware that the Seahawks were missing their top deep threat.

“Having DK out there is crucial. He definitely changes the dynamics of the game,” said offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb on Thursday.

Grubb noted that the lack of early offensive presence contributed to the Seahawks’ struggle to create big plays. He remarked that it felt like the first time this season that the offense lacked consistency.

“We just couldn’t sustain drives. It was difficult to find a rhythm, and we never seemed to get going, which I thought was unprecedented this season. In previous games, at some point, we found our groove and moved the ball effectively against any opponent. This game was a bit of unfamiliar territory, and it proved to be challenging,” Grubb explained.

Tight end Noah Fant (groin) and nose tackle Cameron Young (knee) also did not practice on Thursday after being limited the previous day.

Nacua Injury Concerns for the Rams

There is uncertainty surrounding one of the Rams’ key offensive players after former UW wide receiver Puka Nacua exited practice on Thursday due to a knee injury. Nacua was set to speak with the media, but Rams reporters were informed he was unavailable. He was listed as limited on the injury report.

Nacua, who began his college career at UW before transferring to BYU, had just returned from a knee sprain earlier this season. Last week, he recorded seven receptions for 106 yards against Minnesota in his first game back since Week 1.

Holmgren and Knox Named Semifinalists for Hall of Fame

Former Seahawks coaches Mike Holmgren and Chuck Knox were announced as part of nine coaches selected as semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Thursday.

This group was narrowed down from an original 14 candidates, then reduced to 12 earlier this month. A committee will convene on Nov. 19 to select one of the nine for further consideration by the full Hall of Fame selection committee for potential induction in Canton.

Knox coached the Seahawks from 1983 to 1991, leading the franchise to its inaugural playoff appearance in 1983 and its first division title in 1988. He finished with an 80-63 regular season record with the Seahawks and an overall coaching record of 186-147-1.

Holmgren guided the Seahawks to their first Super Bowl appearance in 2005, although they lost to Pittsburgh. He claimed five division titles and had an 86-74 regular season record during his 10 seasons in Seattle, amassing a combined regular season record of 161-111 between his tenures in Green Bay and Seattle.

The other semifinalists include Bill Arnsparger, Tom Coughlin, Dan Reeves, Marty Schottenheimer, George Seifert, Mike Shanahan, and Clark Shaughnessy.

This is Knox’s first time reaching this stage in the process, while Holmgren made it to this point last year. Notably, the selection process has changed this year, separating coaches from other contributors, ensuring that at least one coach will advance for consideration by the full selection committee annually.