In any NFL preseason game, the primary concern is to avoid major injuries, and while the Seattle Seahawks secured a 37-33 victory over the Cleveland Browns last night, they suffered some notable setbacks in terms of player health.
The most concerning injury was to starting edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu, who had previously missed half of last season due to a pectoral injury that required surgery. During the opening drive, Nwosu was on the verge of making a significant hit on Jameis Winston when Browns guard Wyatt Teller delivered a low hit to his knees. The tackle earned a 15-yard penalty but resulted in Nwosu being sidelined for the remainder of the game. Head coach Mike Macdonald later mentioned that Nwosu’s condition was still uncertain and that he would be evaluated further today.
Should Nwosu be forced to miss considerable time, second-year edge rusher Derick Hall will be the next in line. Hall, who has been performing well this month, was recently promoted following Darrell Taylor’s trade to the Chicago Bears.
Additionally, cornerback Artie Burns suffered what appeared to be a non-contact foot injury and was carted off the field after being examined on the sidelines. He was seen without a cleat on his left foot.
Burns is expected to be the primary backup in the slot behind Devon Witherspoon. If Burns is unable to play, rookie D.J. James would likely step in, provided he makes the final 53-man roster, though his preseason performance has been inconsistent.