Seahawks EDGE Lawrence to retire after 2026 season

Lawrence and LB Ernest Jones (shoulder) are good to go. The Seahawks’ defense will be without LB Derick Hall (oblique). S Julian Love (hamstring), CB Devon Witherspoon (knee) and CB Riq Woolen (concussion) are listed as doubtful to play in Week 6 against the Jaguars. All three defensive backs were limited on Friday. Jaguars WRs Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter have high ceilings in this one.

Lawrence’s potential return would significantly improve the Seahawks’ odds of slowing the Jaguars’ capable rushing attack. Unfortunately, S Julian Love (hamstring) and CB Devon Witherspoon (knee) remain sidelined and CB Riq Woolen (concussion) remains limited, indicating he failed to progress to the next phase of the NFL’s concussion protocol today. Seahawks OLB Derick Hall (oblique) is not expected to play.

Witherspoon missed Week 5 with his knee injury. The Seahawks were also missing S Julian Love (hamstring), LB Derick Hall (oblique), LB Ernest Jones (shoulder), EDGE Demarcus Lawrence (quad) on the defensive side of the ball. If they cannot practice the rest of the week, the Jaguars offense will have an easier matchup in Week 6.

The same is true of FS Julian Love (hamstring) and EDGE DeMarcus Lawrence (quad). Seattle’s banged up defense is a break for the Bucs’ equally-injured offense. The Hawks’ primary slot corner, Witherspoon hasn’t played since Week 1.

Witherspoon’s situation is tough to read. Hopefully, he returns to practice as a full participant on Friday. He was able to play through the knee injury in Week 4. Seahawks S Julian Love (hamstring) and DE Demarcus Lawrence (quad) both remained sidelined. All three should be considered highly questionable to play in Week 5 against the Buccaneers.

Witherspoon played last Thursday after recovering from the knee injury, so his non-participation may be more precautionary than a concern. Practice reports later in the week will tell if he is in jeopardy to miss Week 5 against the Bucs. S Julian Love (hamstring) and DE Demarcus Lawrence (quad) were also both non-participants and the Seahawks defense enters the week a little banged up. On the positive side, S Nick Emmanwori (ankle) was a full participant after missing each of the last three games.

Macdonald said he doesn’t know if Lawrence will suit up for Week 5, but he did note that Lawrence will not be placed on injured reserve, meaning he is expected to miss fewer than four games. The long-time Cowboy joined the Seahawks on a three-year deal this offseason. Lawrence wasn’t playing every down, but he was soaking up roughly two-thirds of the defensive snaps before going down in Week 4. Per Pro Football Focus, Lawrence has seven stops and eight pressures this year.

Initially announced with a thigh injury, Lawrence told the Amazon broadcast it was actually his quad. It’s almost certainly some sort of deep bruise. Lawrence was announced as doubtful early on then officially ruled out at halftime. The only good news is he has 10 days to get healthy for Week 5 against the Bucs.

Lawrence suffered a Lisfranc injury that ended his 2024 season with the Cowboys early. He was limited to just four games, tallying three sacks in that time. The Seahawks signed the veteran in the offseason to add him to Mike Macdonald’s pass-rushing attack. He was participating in conditioning drills to start Seattle’s offseason program, indicating Lawrence is recovering well from the Lisfranc injury. Lawrence looks to be headed for a healthy start to the 2025 season.

The deal is worth “up to” $42 million, and includes a healthy $18 million guaranteed. A Cowboy for his entire 11-year career, 32-year-old Lawrence was limited to four games by a Lisfranc injury last season. Although he is well post peak and is just a month shy of his 33rd birthday, Lawrence had maintained passing-down juice until last year. He was struggling even before his injury, however. Maybe Father Time has finally caught up, but he’s an interesting veteran flier for defensive-minded coach Mike Macdonald. The Seahawks’ financial outlay obviously suggests they believe he has plenty left in the tank.