Injury to Seahawks’ K.J. Wright gives 1-handed rookie a start
A knee injury to Pro Bowl linebacker K.J. Wright provides an opportunity for a one-armed player to start in the NFL. Shaquem Griffin, fifth-round draft pick from the U of Central Florida, is the Seattle Seahawks’ backup to Wright, who had arthroscopic surgery Monday and will miss at least the first week of the regular season. The Seahawks open at Denver a week from Sunday.
Griffin, twin brother of Seattle’s starting left corner, Shaquill Griffin, lost his left hand at age 4 as a result of Amniotic Band Syndrome.
Using a prosthetic hand he’s a surprisingly effective tackler and pass rusher. He intercepted Russell Wilson during a training camp scrimmage. In Seattle’s three preseason games Griffin has accumulated 17 combined tackles.
Click Here for video of the interception.
Packers’ linebacking corps is also hurting
The Green Bay Packers are a Super Bowl contender, led by the sport’s most acclaimed passer, Aaron Rodgers. But Green Bay’s Pro Bowl linebacker Clay Matthews cited a concern in May: “When you look at the depth at the outside linebacker position, it’s not that great.”
One reason depth is a constant issue is the brittleness at 32 of Matthews himself. He’s missed six games in the past two years. He was hampered by a shoulder injury last season and underwent knee surgery in January. In June his nose was broken by a line drive during a charity softball game.
Outside linebacking depth became still more problematic with the other starter, Nick Perry, on the PUP list (unable to perform) during this preseason as he recovers from ankle surgery. He’s expected to be active for the season opener Sept. 9 against Chicago.
But like Matthews, Perry, 28, has a history of ailments. He missed four games last year and played others with a broken wrist in a cast, before landing on Injured Reserve with a knee injury. A first-round draft pick out of Southern Cal in 2012, he has not played 16 games in any season.
Still, the bigger problem turns out to be not outside linebacker but the inside position next to stalwart Blake Martinez. Jake Ryan tore an ACL in training camp and is out for the season. His replacement, third-round draft pick Oren Burks, dislocated a shoulder in warmups for Friday’s preseason game in Oakland. “Should not be a long-term deal,” insisted coach Mike McCarthy.
If Burks can’t go, next up is the recently acquired Antonio Morrison, who started most of last season for the Indianapolis Colts but is strictly a two-down linebacker.
The Packers moved to bolster the outside depth by signing 34-year-old Ahmad Brooks, released by San Francisco.
They’re encouraged by the edge-rushing of Reggie Gilbert, second-year undrafted free agent from the U of Arizona. He won a game ball for all three preseason games so far. In Friday’s exhibition he consistently outmaneuvered Oakland’s No. 1 draft pick, left tackle Kolton Miller.
And for better or worse, they still have Chris Odom and Kyler Fackrell, who backed up last year and may have been the inspiration for Matthews’ complaint about lack of depth.
News not bad on Oren Burks’ injury
CLICK HERE for LINK to Mike Spofford, Packers.com
