The Seattle Seahawks are facing a critical NFC West showdown game against the Los Angeles Rams this weekend. The 4-4 Seahawks are in a three-way tie for first place in the division with the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers. In preparation for their big-time game, it sounds like rookie right tackle Mike Jerrell could be making his third consecutive start.
Jerrell was thrust into the lineup against the Atlanta Falcons because George Fant and Stone Forsythe were on IR. With Fant eligible to return against the Buffalo Bills in Week 9, the Seahawks stuck with Jerrell. It sounds like head coach Mike Macdonald is considering sticking with the sixth-round rookie from Findlay.
Macdonald said as of now Michael Jerrell goes into the week as the starter at right tackle, but they’ll assess how George Fant is progressing through the week and then decide for sure.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) October 28, 2024
Jerrell played all 51 offensive snaps in Sunday’s blowout defeat to the Bills. Pro Football Focus credited Jerrell with allowing four pressures, and he was blamed for giving up the lone sack Geno Smith took. As a result, Jerrell earned a lackluster pass-blocking grade of 48.3.
Initial expectations were that Fant would be activated off IR and start in a critical divisional game versus the Rams. It currently sounds like Jerrell, one of Seattle’s ongoing heartwarming stories, is preparing to make a third consecutive start. Macdonald continues placing trust in the obscure small-school performer.