NFL Rumors: Seahawks Defensive Tackle to Play in Week 6

The Seattle Seahawks' defense had a game to forget in Week 5, but at least it didn't cost them one of their key interior defensive lineman. Head coach Pete Carrol announced Wednesday that tackle Al Woods intends to play in Week 6 despite a knee injury suffered in the team's Sunday loss to the New Orleans Saints.

Pete Carroll said Al Woods is optimistic he can play this weekend, but likely will be held out of practice the next two days before practicing Friday. #Seahawks
— John Boyle (@johnpboyle) October 12, 2022

Woods logged a mere 20 snaps in defeat for the Seahawks in Week 5. He had been one of the defense's few bright spots in the 39-32 thrashing, notching a sack and a tackle for loss in his limited playing time. The Seahawks allowed a season-high 235 rushing yards due in part to his absence.

Once famous as a defensive powerhouse under Carroll, the Seahawks have been brutal through five weeks of the regular season, ranking 31st in points allowed and 32nd in yards allowed. Their pass defense has been particularly egregious, allowing a league-worst 8.2 net yards per passing attempt.

Losing Al Woods in the second half of Sunday's game was a huge blow for #Seahawks defense.

Watch him swim over two blockers, then make Taysom Hill into a crash test dummy crashing into the Great Wall of #99. pic.twitter.com/ifOOlwQsGe
— Corbin K. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) October 11, 2022

Woods joined the Seahawks in 2019 and grew into a full-time starter in 2020. The 12-year veteran first entered the league as the Saints' 123rd overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft and has appeared in 146 games for five different teams. A big-bodied space eater, he had maybe his best year in 2021, totalling a career-high 50 tackles and earning a 75.4 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.

The Seattle Seahawks host the Arizona Cardinals in Week 6.