The Seahawks are facing one of the league’s best pass rushers in J.J. Watt, and they’ll likely be doing so without three starting linemen now that center Max Unger (arm) and right tackle Breno Giacomini (knee) are both listed as doubtful, though Carroll did say, “we’ll find out game day on those guys” when asked about the two linemen.
If Unger, who suffered a triceps injury last week, can’t play, that means Lemuel Jeanpierre will start, and Carroll said they’re confident in the backup center.
“Lem’s ready to go,” he said. “He’s played in games before for us, we know he knows how to make all the calls, he’s been with us for a long time, so we’re very confident in Lem’s work, and if he’s called on he’ll be ready to start. He’ll be fine.”
Rookie Michael Bowie would be the starter at right tackle if Giacomini is indeed out, but Carroll says the game plan won’t change even with those injuries.
“Not at all,” he said. “Our guys are ready to play ball if they’re called on to do so. It won’t be a story about the guys who aren’t playing, it will be about the guys stepping up to do their thing. It might be the young guys, and if it is, it is, and we’re going to crank it up and go.
Asked if there is potentially long-term concern about Giacomini’s knee, Carroll said, “We don’t know that yet. We’ve got to get through this week first.”
Here’s the full injury report for both teams:
SEAHAWKS
Out: RB Spencer Ware (ankle, did not practice), DT Jordan Hill (bicep, limited), S Jeron Johnson (hamstring, DNP).
Doubtful: C Max Unger (arm, limited), RT Breno Giacomini (knee, DNP).
Probable: CB Brandon Browner (hamstring, full), LB Malcolm Smith (hamstring, full), WR Jermaine Kearse (ankle, full), DE Red Bryant (back, full), DE Michael Bennett (groin, full), G J.R. Sweezy (back, full).
TEXANS
Out: LB Tim Dobbins (hamstring, DNP).
Questionable: T Duane Brown (toe, DNP), CB Kareem Jackson (illness, limited), CB Johnathan Joseph (toe, limited), LB Darryl Sharpton (hip/foot, limited), WR Andre Johnson (shin, limited).
Probable: LB Brian Cushing (knee/ankle, full), RB Arian Foster (thumb, full), CB Brice McCain (knee, full), CB Chris Myers (back, full), T Derek Newton (knee/calf, full), WR DeVier Posey (achilles, full), QB Matt Schaub (ankle, full), RB Ben Tate (shoulder, full), TE Owen Daniels (NIR/rest, full), TE Garrett Graham (hip/groin, full), FS Ed reed (hip, full), G Wade Smith (knee, limited), S Eddie Pleasant (hamstring, full).
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