When the Seattle Seahawks face the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday Night Football, they could be without both safety Earl Thomas and cornerback Richard Sherman.
Seattle released the injury report for tomorrow's game earlier today, listing Thomas as doubtful and Sherman as questionable for the showdown between NFC West foes.
Previously it was reported that Thomas would be a game-time decision, but usually players who are listed as doubtful don't end up playing for their respective teams. He missed Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins, where Seattle fell after giving up a touchdown in the final minute, 17-14. He's yet to practice this week.
Sherman is more likely to take the field tomorrow night in Glendale, Arizona. He's dealing with an Achilles injury that has also kept him off the practice field this week, but Seattle is more optimistic that he'll be ready come kickoff.
Tailback Eddie Lacy, defensive end Marcus Smith, and offensive lineman Luke Joeckel were listed as out on today's injury report, while wide receiver Paul Richardson (groin) and linebacker D.J. Alexander (ankle) were marked as questionable. Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll told ProFootballTalk's Curtis Crabtree that defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson should be good to go against the Cardinals after being inactive against Washington.
When Earl Thomas was lost for the season in 2016 with a broken tibia, the defense became vulnerable and ended up allowing 36 points to the Atlanta Falcons in a divisional round defeat. He briefly considered retirement before coming back, and early-on this season, he looked as dominant as ever.
Keeping Thomas on the field, as well as shutdown corner Richard Sherman, is vital to Seattle reaching the postseason again and potentially making a deep run. Without them, their secondary suddenly isn't so intimidating and the path to defeating the Seahawks becomes much more clear.