RENTON, Wash. – Seattle Seahawks safety Julian Love suffered a setback with his hamstring injury and is under consideration to be placed on injured reserve, head coach Mike Macdonald said on Wednesday.

“Julian Love had a bit of a setback with his hamstring last week, so he won’t practice today, and his game status right now is in jeopardy, so we’ll work through that the rest of the week moving forward,” Macdonald said.

Macdonald may have actually meant Monday with his “last week” comment as Love was on the practice field for the team’s extra practice after returning from the bye week on Monday afternoon. Regardless, Love’s absence from the lineup appears likely to extend for at least another week.

Love has played in just one game since Week 2, playing all 67 snaps in a 23-20 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4. However, the hamstring injury sidelined him in Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints, and again for the three games headed into the bye week.

Ty Okada has filled in for Love in each of the games he’s missed. Okada is coming off arguably his best performance for Seattle, recording nine tackles with a sack and a pass defended in the team’s 27-19 win over the Houston Texans.

If Love is placed on injured reserve, he’ll have to miss four games before being eligible to return. If that happens before Sunday night’s game with the Washington Commanders, Love won’t be able to return to the lineup until Week 13 against the Minnesota Vikings.

Wide receiver Dareke Young is also a consideration for injured reserve. Young injured his hip in the win over the Texans last Monday night and did not practice on Wednesday.

Seattle signed wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. to their practice squad on Wednesday as a possible contingency option for Young if he’s going to be out.

“He helps us in the return games, special teams. Maybe outside at gunner, but a lot of great speed. We felt him when we played against him (with the Saints),” Macdonald said.

While Love and Young and trending in the wrong direction, cornerback Devon Witherspoon and linebacker Derick Hall are both making progress.

Witherspoon was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice with Hall returning to limited participation. Like Love, Witherspoon has been out since the Week 4 win over Arizona. Hall has missed the last two games with an oblique injury.

Love and Young were joined on the sidelines by backup tight end Eric Saubert, who did not practice with a calf injury. Nose tackle Jarran Reed was the only other player limited due to injury as he has a wrist issue. Defensive end Leonard Williams and linebacker Demarcus Lawrence were also limited, but for rest reasons.

Quarterback Sam Darnold was a full participant but had a chest injury listed on the team’s injury report.

Christian Haynes designated to return from injured reserve

After seeing fullback Robbie Ouzts return to practice on Monday, the Seahawks also designated guard Christian Haynes to return to practice from the injured reserve list on Wednesday.

Haynes has missed the first seven games of the season after sustaining a pectoral injury in the preseason.

While the Seahawks are still looking to improve their rushing attack, it doesn’t seem as though a personnel change on the line is likely despite Haynes’ return to practice.

“He put himself in a position to compete at guard. Anthony (Bradford) and Grey (Zabel) won those competitions. That’s how we’ll come back coming off being injured. He’ll be in a backup role, and he’ll continuously compete for playing time,” Macdonald said.

Meanwhile, Macdonald confirmed that Ouzts could return to the lineup this week. Ouzts and Haynes were both full participants on Wednesday.

A Critical Blow to Seattle’s Secondary

Love’s health has been a storyline for the Seahawks since mid-September. The veteran defensive back, who signed a two-year deal with Seattle in 2023, has been a steady contributor when available. However, his recurring hamstring issue has kept him on the sidelines more often than not this fall.

Love has played in just one game since Week 2, logging all 67 defensive snaps in Seattle’s 23–20 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4. Prior to that, he was sidelined against the New Orleans Saints in Week 3, and he missed all three contests leading up to the team’s Week 8 bye.

The timing of this setback couldn’t be worse. Seattle’s defense, though strong statistically in several areas, has relied heavily on depth players in the secondary. Love’s presence as a communicator and stabilizing force in the backfield has been sorely missed, particularly as rookie cornerbacks and rotational safeties have struggled with consistency.

If Love is placed on IR, league rules dictate he must miss a minimum of four games, meaning he wouldn’t be eligible to return until Week 13 against the Minnesota Vikings. That stretch would include crucial matchups against the Washington Commanders, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, and San Francisco 49ers — all teams that feature aggressive passing attacks.

Ty Okada Steps Up in Love’s Absence

In Love’s stead, second-year safety Ty Okada has been filling the void — and doing so impressively. Okada, who made the team as an undrafted free agent, is coming off arguably his best performance in the pros. Against the Houston Texans last week, the 25-year-old recorded nine tackles, one sack, and a pass defended, showcasing his athleticism and instincts.

Macdonald praised Okada’s growth, noting his ability to adapt and contribute despite being thrust into a larger role than expected.

“Ty’s really taken ownership of the role,” Macdonald said. “He’s fast, he’s physical, and he’s learning how to communicate like a veteran. You love to see that from a young guy.”

Still, losing Love — one of the defense’s most versatile players — for an extended period would significantly alter Seattle’s rotations. Love’s experience allows the Seahawks to move him around the formation, functioning as both a deep safety and a hybrid slot defender when needed. That versatility has been key in disguising coverages and confusing opposing quarterbacks.

Dareke Young Joins Growing Injury List

Adding to Seattle’s woes, wide receiver Dareke Young also suffered a hip injury during the team’s 27–19 win over the Texans on Monday Night Football. The injury kept him out of Wednesday’s practice, and Macdonald said the team is also considering placing him on injured reserve if his recovery stalls.

Young has been a key contributor on special teams and depth receiver packages, particularly as a blocker in Seattle’s run game. His absence, combined with Love’s, could test the Seahawks’ depth on both sides of the ball.

To prepare for that possibility, Seattle signed wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. to its practice squad Wednesday. The former Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints receiver brings explosive speed and special teams value — something Macdonald specifically highlighted.

“He helps us in the return games and special teams,” Macdonald said. “Maybe outside at gunner, but a lot of great speed. We felt him when we played against him [with the Saints].”

Jones, a 2022 third-round pick, has yet to find a consistent NFL role but could serve as an immediate insurance policy if Young misses extended time.

Positive Developments for Witherspoon and Hall

While the injury news surrounding Love and Young is discouraging, there was at least some optimism on Wednesday regarding cornerback Devon Witherspoon and linebacker Derick Hall.

Witherspoon, who has been out since Week 4 due to a hamstring injury of his own, was a full participant in practice for the first time in nearly a month. Hall, meanwhile, returned in a limited capacity after missing the last two games with an oblique issue.

For Seattle’s defense, getting Witherspoon back could be a major turning point. The 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist has proven to be a game-changer when healthy, offering elite coverage skills and blitzing ability from the nickel spot. His return could help offset the potential loss of Love and stabilize the secondary heading into November.

Hall’s presence also adds depth to Seattle’s pass-rushing rotation, which has seen flashes of dominance but lacks consistency. The team hopes his return can boost pressure off the edge, particularly against a Commanders offense that ranks among the league’s most turnover-prone.