At a critical juncture of their seventh consecutive win against the Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks experienced an unexpected setback. When leading 7-3 midway through the game and DeMarcus Lawrence suddenly stopped pursuing Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray after encountering some discomfort while chasing after a play disruption by DeMarcus Lawrence; shortly thereafter leaving the field soon thereafter with visible swelling to his thigh area and clutching it in visible discomfort before leaving shortly thereafter.
Soon enough, news from the sideline confirmed what had long been suspected: Lawrence would likely miss time due to a thigh injury sustained while trying to tackle Murray. Lawrence has not recorded any sacks this season but still contributed 11 combined tackles and seven assists; an invaluable component in Seahawks defense which had allowed only an average of 179 total yards per game against opponents this season.
The absence of Lawrence cast a shadow over the match, already marred by unpredictability. The Cardinals, missing their star running back James Conner due to a season-ending ankle injury, relied on Trey Benson to spearhead their ground game. The match witnessed peculiar turns, including an interception by Coby Bryant off a misdirected throw from Murray, followed by a fumble during the return, adding to the night’s chaotic nature.
A Clash of Ohio State Alumni
The game also highlighted a compelling subplot featuring former Ohio State teammates turned NFL rivals Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Marvin Harrison Jr. Smith-Njigba’s explosive start to the season contrasted sharply with Harrison’s struggles, the latter’s performance marked by a notable dropped pass that led to an interception, encapsulating his recent challenges on the field.
On the Seahawks side, Sam Darnold and Kenneth Walker III made steady advances, with Walker playing an instrumental role in an impressive touchdown drive that demonstrated their precision even amid all its chaos.
Lawrence, who earned four Pro Bowl selections over his nine year career and amassed 61.5 sacks, poses serious concerns for Seattle Seahawks’ defensive strategy moving forward. Though Lawrence left early, Seattle still led into third quarter with 17-6 scoreboard reading; nonetheless his condition and possible absence could loom large moving forward with season.