Why isn’t Uchenna Nwosu playing for the Seahawks against the 49ers on Thursday Night Football?

The Seattle Seahawks will host their NFC West rivals San Francisco 49ers for some Thursday Night Football action tonight at Lumen Field. Unfortunately, they’ll have to do so without starting linebacker Uchenna Nwosu.

Nwosu’s Injury Status

Nwosu was already forced to miss the first four games of the season with an MCL sprain that he sustained in the Seahawks’ final preseason game. He was finally able to take the field last week when they played the New York Giants, but he didn’t even make it the full game before having to exit with a thigh injury.

Even more unfortunate is that Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald has said they will place him on Injured Reserve, so he’ll miss at least four games.

“Unfortunately, we are going to put Uchenna (Nwosu) on IR,” said Macdonald. “Timeline, we are not sure, but we think there is a really good chance to get him back by the end of the season.”

Nwosu had to miss a good chunk of the season last year as well after suffering a pectoral injury in late October that put him on the IR list. It’s really a shame that Nwosu has suffered so many injuries, as when they brought him on in 2022, he had a breakout season with the Seahawks, with a career-high 9.5 sacks, 66 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 26 QB hits, four passes defensed, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 17 starts. He was given a three-year, $59 million extension but has only been able to play seven games since then.

Seattle’s defensive injury woes

In addition to Nwosu, the Seahawks are dealing with a few more significant injuries on the defense. Of the three players listed as “out” and the three listed as “questionable” ahead of the game tonight, all are defensive players.

Defensive tackle Byron Murphy II and cornerback Riq Woolen have both been ruled out of the game against the Niners. Murphy injured his hamstring in Week 3 and hasn’t been able to even practice since, and Woolen had to exit last week’s game with an ankle injury. He was unable to practice the last few days. Fortunately, he’s not expected to miss significant time.

Linebackers Boye Mafe and Derick Hall, who missed last week’s game, are listed as questionable. Mafe has actually missed the last two games with a knee injury, but he was able to participate this week, so his return tonight is still possible. Hall, who is dealing with a hip issue, didn’t participate in the first two practices of the week but was a full participant on Wednesday and Macdonald expects he and Mafe to play. Safety Julian Love, who’s dealing with a thigh injury, will be a game-time decision.

49ers dealing with injuries of their own

The Niners, for their part, have ruled out four players while two are listed as questionable.