Riq Woolen was benched. Here’s what Seahawks are saying now | Notebook

by · The Seattle Times

RENTON — Whatever it was that got Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen benched for the opening series of Sunday’s 27-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings no one is saying.

Coach Mike Macdonald earlier referred to it as a “team rule thing” that occurred last week, in between the loss to Green Bay and the game against Minnesota.

Asked about it Tuesday, Woolen said he’d let Macdonald’s explanation suffice.

“I’d rather him talk about it just because I mean he already spoke about it enough and what he says goes,’’ Woolen said. “And as long as me and him understand, that’s all that matters.’’

What Woolen and coaches are more happy to talk about is how they feel Woolen responded. And by all accounts he played well. 

Pro Football Focus gave Woolen a grade of 74.1, his fourth-highest of the season, assessing that he allowed three receptions on eight targets for 28 yards (all three catches by Justin Jefferson). 

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Woolen was credited with three pass breakups, a season high and tying his career high.

“Once it (the benching) happened, he just got on with it, got on with his work and went to work,’’ defensive coordinator Aden Durde said. “He did good. … (He) challenged (receivers) like playing sticky in routes, he did a good job when he was playing man coverage. Played well.”

The game was a bounce back for Woolen who got his worst grade of the year from PFF against the Packers (36.5) when he committed two costly penalties and allowed three receptions on five targets for 54 yards and a TD.

Woolen said once the punishment was determined by Macdonald he decided to move on.

“I feel like I responded well,’’ Woolen said. “I mean, I know what I did and I know what was going to happen and me and him (Macdonald) talked about it and that’s just how it went, for real. And I just played my role, you know what I’m saying? And I’m a team player so that’s what I did. And whenever I got the chance to play I made the most of my chances.’’

Woolen was also involved in the game’s key play — a 39-yard pass from Sam Darnold to Jefferson with 3:51 that put the Vikings ahead for good. 

While no one is saying specifically, indications are that Woolen did his job in initially covering Jefferson in a Cover Two zone and staying in his area and passing Jefferson off to the deep safety, Julian Love.

As did Macdonald on Monday, Durde didn’t go into specifics on the play other than to say there were “a couple of coaching points’’ to the team about that play and “we cleaned that up.’’

Said Woolen: “Whatever they told you, that’s what happened. I ain’t going to really speak too much on it. It was a great throw, great catch and that’s just how it goes.’’

Smith says knee remains an issue 

The short week meant quarterback Geno Smith held his weekly meeting with the media before practice Tuesday.

Smith made clear he wanted to keep his focus on the Bears and declined to go into detail on a couple of bigger picture questions about his play this season and that of the offense.

Smith did say that the knee injury he suffered against Green Bay has not totally gone away.

“Nah, it’s not,’’ he said. “It’s going to be there for a while. But got to keep pushing.’’

Smith was not listed on the team’s injury report this week. Neither Smith nor the team has given specifics on the injury, which occurred in the third quarter against the Packers. Smith’s answer implied it’s something that may only get better once the season is over and there is either time to treat it, or simply rest it.

Smith’s future will be the topic of much discussion when the season ends as he has one year remaining on his contract but confirmed earlier this year that his representatives approached the team about an extension before the season. That implies he will want an extension this offseason. 

The team will also want to bring down a $38.5 million cap hit for 2025 that is 12th among quarterbacks. While that is not an overly burdensome number given the position, the Seahawks will have to make some significant moves to create space, and redoing Smith’s contract is an obvious target.

“None of that really matters right now,’’ he said when asked to assess his season to date. “Just focused on the next game.’’ 

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Walker again sits out 

Running back Kenneth Walker III was listed as sitting out practice again Tuesday with an ankle injury suffered in the fourth quarter Sunday. The Seahawks held a walk-through and not an actual practice and the participation report was an estimation of what players would have done had they held a full practice.

With the short week, Walker being listed as DNP seems to make it increasingly unlikely he’ll play against the Bears, especially with the Seahawks sure to err on the side of caution to get him healthy for the potentially more meaningful Rams game.

Backup Zach Charbonnet was upgraded to a full participant after being limited on Monday with an elbow issue.

That would seem to put Charbonnet in line to start Thursday.

It could mean second-year running back Kenny McIntosh will again see some significant action. McIntosh has played only 49 offensive snaps this season. But 36 have come in the last three games with Walker ailing and he has 13 carries for 61 yards in those contests.

Walker being out might mean the Seahawks having to sign George Holani off the practice squad as he has no more elevations.

Smith seemed to hint that will happen when he was asked about the how the team would approach playing without Walker.

“Just how we’ve done all season,” Smith said. “Just having guys step up. I think Kenny Mac is going to get some opportunities and maybe George gets in there and gets some more burn. Just getting the guys opportunities to showcase what they can do.“

Note

Along with Walker, tight end Brady Russell (foot) was listed as not practicing. No other players sat out solely because of injury. Three others were listed as limited for rest and injury — tackle Abe Lucas (knee), linebacker Ernest Jones IV (knee) and defensive lineman Leonard Williams (foot). Everyone else was listed as a full participant.