All 32 NFL franchises have difficult decisions to make regarding whether or not their starters should play in the preseason finale. Some coaching staffs view it as the last live-action opportunity to prepare for the regular-season campaign. Others view it as too risky in regards to injuries.
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald sides with the former belief. Macdonald announced that the starters will play in Saturday’s Week 3 preseason game versus the Cleveland Browns.
Seahawks starters will see action in preseason finale | Notebook https://t.co/TvqgemjiG6 via @seattletimes
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“The plan is you’ll see a lot of starters to start the game,’’ Macdonald confirmed following Thursday’s practice. “How many reps and all that it (will be) kind of on a per-person-type basis. But the plan is to see a good amount of the guys. We got a couple nicks and bruises here (so) we’ll hold some guys out. So there’s some guys you might not see that you might expect. (But) for the most part, most of the starters will start the game, Geno included.”
It’s extremely notable. Geno Smith and the offensive starters haven’t played a single snap through the first two preseason contests. That will change in Saturday’s preseason finale at Lumen Field, with the likes of D.K. Metcalf and Kenneth Walker III joining Smith and Co. on the field.
Macdonald ruled out starting center Connor Williams, who just began practicing this earlier this week. The other starters on the offensive line should play, including left tackle Charles Cross and left guard Laken Tomlinson. The right guard position is still being fought for by Anthony Bradford and rookie Christian Haynes.
“Offense, we just hadn’t had a chance to get everybody out there and operate, especially at our home field,’’ Macdonald said. “Go through all those things. And there’s something to putting the pads on and actually going out and moving the ball before we do it for real. Defensively, we only got six snaps in the first game so (this is) an opportunity to go out there and put some more good film on tape and have some confidence going into the first game.”
The defensive starters could also use the warm-up. They’ve totaled just six snaps through two exhibition showings. They started the debut preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers, but forced a quick three-and-out, limiting their time on the field. Browns starter Deshaun Watson is expected to get the nod at quarterback.
The Seahawks will use Saturday’s preseason finale as a dress rehearsal to get ready for Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos, their Week 1 opponent.
