The Seattle Seahawks defense has been one of the best in the NFL since Jamal Adams returned to the team, but now coach Pete Carroll may have to face the reality of not having the All-Pro defense back for the playoff opening round. Carroll admitted he is unsure of Adams’ status for Saturday’s NFC wild card game against the Los Angeles Rams and that would be a major blow to the Seahawks defense.
“He is really disappointed. He wants to play and he wants to leave,” said Carroll on Monday, via ESPN’s Brady Henderson. “He didn’t go to the playoffs and he wants to be a part of that and everything, so it kind of overwhelmed him. He’s very excited and everything, and he’s going to deal with it.
“Let’s see what will happen today and in the next few days, see how he feels and everything. But he got hurt and did the job, he wanted to go back. We had to take his helmet off and everything else on the side because he wanted to fight with your guys. So, we’ll see what happens. I can’t tell you right now. I don’t know. “
Adams left in the second half of Sunday’s victory over the San Francisco 49ers with a shoulder injury. He returned to the sideline and hoped to return to the game, but the Seahawks kept him out in the hope that he would be available for the playoffs.
The Seahawks defense has been one of the best in the NFL since Adams returned to the team in week 9, allowing only 19.1 points per game (sixth in the NFL) and 318.1 yards per game (fifth in the NFL). Seattle is fifth in the NFL in allowed passing yards (188.6) since Week 13, as opposing defenders have only 74 passers during the five-game period (the third best in the NFL). The Seahawks have allowed only 298 yards per game since Week 13 (the fifth lowest number in the NFL) have allowed only 13.4 points per game in the last five games – the best in the league.
Seattle will need Adams to slow the Los Angeles attack, regardless of whether Jared Goff ran for the Rams or not.