Devon

Witherspoon

Smith-Njigba led the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards en route to Offensive Player of the Year, first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors this season. He turned 24 years old earlier this month and believes he deserves to be the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL. Smith-Njigba’s teammate, and fellow 2023 first-round draftee, Witherspoon also took home Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors this year. Witherspoon should end up being handsomely paid as well, though it is unclear whether he is a candidate to reset the positional market. ESPN’s Brady Henderson notes that the Seahawks can exercise a fifth-year option on both contracts by May 1, giving all involved extra time to negotiate long-term deals if need be. Were the Seahawks to make Smith-Njigba the NFL’s highest-paid wide receiver, the contract would average more than $40 million per year in new money.

The bye week appears to have done Seattle’s star corner good, as he participated in full on Wednesday and Thursday ahead of being cleared off the injury report. He’ll provide Seattle with better than they’d been getting from their depth against the Commanders. Seahawks S Julian Love recently suffered a setback in his hamstring rehab, delaying his return.

Witherspoon has missed the last three games of the season with his knee issue, but the defender appears to be on track to return to the secondary for Sunday Night Football against the Commanders in Week 9.

Witherspoon was a limited participant on Thursday. That is the good news. The bad news is that CB Riq Woolen (concussion) was downgraded from full participation on Thursday to a limited session on Friday. That suggests Woolen’s prior concussion symptoms may have recurred. Seahawks S Julian Love (hamstring) remains limited and LB Derick Hall (oblique) remains sidelined.

Woolen is also the subject of trade rumors after up-and-down early-season performances. Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon (knee) and S Julian Love (hamstring) remain limited, while LB Derick Hall (oblique) remains sidelined. The Seahawks are tasked with containing Nico Collins on Monday night. Getting Witherspoon and Love back would be a big boost in that regard.

Witherspoon has made just one appearance since Week 1. It’s pretty clear at this point he should have been placed on injured reserve. Joining Witherspoon on the shelf are S Julian Love, LB Riq Woolen, LB Derick Hall, OT Josh Jones and TE Nick Kallerup.

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.