Seahawks place newly acquired Quenton Nelson week-to-week after knee procedure
Seattle traded for the eight-time Pro Bowl guard last week, but he will miss Sunday's game as the team reverts to its previous offensive line alignment.
By Ricardo Alvarez ·
The Seattle Seahawks will not use Quenton Nelson in Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns. Head coach Mike Macdonald announced to reporters that Nelson requires a minor knee procedure to clean out cartilage fragments. The team listed the offensive guard as week-to-week, keeping him active rather than placing him on injured reserve. This status allows Seattle to evaluate his progress before committing to a longer absence.
The injury comes one week after the Seahawks acquired Nelson from the Indianapolis Colts. Seattle sent a third-round pick and a future fifth-round pick to complete the trade. The move was intended to strengthen the offensive line immediately. However, the cartilage issue has delayed his debut on the field. The procedure is expected to be minor, but it removes Nelson from the starting lineup for this week's contest.
With Nelson sidelined, the Seahawks offensive line will likely revert to its previous configuration. Grey Zabel is expected to start at left guard, while Anthony Bradford will move to right guard. This adjustment restores the alignment the team used before the trade. The coaching staff will monitor Nelson's recovery closely to determine his return timeline.
Injuries are affecting multiple teams across the NFL as the season passes its midpoint. Quarterback availability is a particular concern. The Cleveland Browns will start Shedeur Sanders against the New Orleans Saints, replacing Deshaun Watson, who is listed as questionable due to a concussion. Browns coach Todd Monken confirmed Sanders will start even if Watson is cleared to play.
Other teams are navigating their own injury lists. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers face the Chicago Bears in the NFC South. The Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons meet in Madrid. The Green Bay Packers travel to New England to face the Patriots. These matchups feature several key players dealing with various ailments, from hamstring issues to concussions. The league is tracking these reports closely as teams attempt to manage rosters during the demanding mid-season stretch.
The Seahawks' situation with Nelson is a focal point for Sunday. The team's offensive line performance will be tested without its new acquisition. The week-to-week designation provides flexibility for Seattle to react to his recovery. No further update is expected until the team's next evaluation period.
