SEATTLE -- The Falcons will be missing one core member of their offense on Monday night, as it was revealed this week that running back Devonta Freeman will not be cleared from the concussion protocol prior to the team's clash with the Seattle Seahawks.
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Atlanta isn't the only team in this matchup dealing with injuries, though, and Seattle's injury report is a good bit longer.
Excluding the absence of star cornerback Richard Sherman, who will miss the rest of the season after tearing his ACL in the Seahawks' win against the Cardinals, Seattle could be without four starters on Monday.
Here are some of the notable injuries the Seahawks are dealing with, and the replacement players Falcons fans may want to know about.
Kam Chancellor, safety – out
The Legion of Boom will be missing a significant part of the "Boom." While starting free safety Earl Thomas will play on Monday after recovering from a hamstring injury, starting strong safety Kam Chancellor will be out due to a neck injury.
Chancellor has developed the reputation of being the hard-hitter in Seattle's secondary, and the veteran's absence will surely be noticeable. The return of Thomas means that Bradley McDougald, who had been starting at free safety while Thomas was sidelined, will be free to slide over to start at strong safety.
"That was really part of the recruiting pitch to him (in free agency) was that we were going to have him prepare at both in the event that anything would happen," Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard said of McDougald, according to Bob Condotta of *The Seattle Times**. *"Like I said it's a tough sport, so tough guys end up getting hurt every now and again. Just having him and he has the ability to play both positions, it's a huge plus for us."
McDougald started 31 games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the last two seasons and has five career interceptions and 244 tackles.
Michael Wilhoite, linebacker – out
Although not as well known a player as K.J. Wright or Bobby Wagner, Michael Wilhoite is the other starter in Seattle's linebacker corps. He will miss the game due to a calf injury and is expected to be replaced by Terence Garvin.
Garvin has just one start this season and only two during his five-year career, recording 39 tackles and 1.5 sacks in that time. Wilhoite, meanwhile, has started six games this season for the Seahawks and 30 games over the last three years for the San Francisco 49ers. He has just 10 tackles for Seattle this year.
Duane Brown, left tackle – questionable
Duane Brown was acquired from the Houston Texans prior to the trade deadline this season to help sure up the Seahawks' offensive line woes. He suffered an ankle injury against the Cardinals, and his status for Monday night is considered to be a game-time decision.
If Brown is not able to go against the Falcons, Matt Tobin will replace him at left tackle. Tobin would be making his first start with the Seahawks. He has 21 career starts, although none have come at left tackle.
The Cowboys were without their starting left tackle against the Falcons in Week 10, which led to Adrian Clayborn setting a franchise single-game record with six sacks.
Jarran Reed, defensive tackle – questionable
Jarran Reed is the fourth and final starter who could be out against Atlanta. Seattle's defensive tackle missed the majority of practice this week due to a hamstring injury, but he did practice on a limited basis on Saturday.
"Jarran got pretty good work today," Carroll said on Saturday, according to Condotta. "A little bit more than Duane did at this time. We are waiting all the way through this entire break here to see if we can max it for Duane. But different injuries so doing some different things in how we are handling it and all that."
Rookie Nazair Jones would likely get the first crack at replacing Reed if he can't go, with Garrison Smith also factoring into the rotation.
Jones has played well during his first NFL season, recording 15 tackles, two sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery. Reed has started every game for Seattle in 2017, registering 63 tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble.
