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The Seahawks’ defense is battered, and the timing couldn’t be worse. With a pivotal Week 6 matchup against the Jaguars looming, Seattle entered the week with a laundry list of defensive injuries that reads more like a preseason depth chart than the core of a contender.

Seven key defenders were either limited or sidelined entirely in Wednesday’s first injury report of the week. And while few of the names on the list came as surprises, that doesn't soften the blow-especially for a unit that’s already struggling to stay consistent.

Linebackers Ernest Jones IV (shoulder), Derick Hall (oblique), and DeMarcus Lawrence (quad) all missed practice, as did DBs Julian Love (hamstring) and Devon Witherspoon (knee)-a group that forms the spine of Seattle’s back seven. Safety Nick Emmanwori (ankle) and cornerback Riq Woolen (concussion protocol) were limited participants, still dealing with lingering issues from previous weeks.

And although veteran defensive tackle Jarran Reed also sat out, his absence was a rest day-one silver lining in an otherwise gloomy report. Offensive swing tackle Josh Jones was another DNP.

Head coach Mike Macdonald offered a bit of clarity, confirming that Hall and Jones aren’t expected to suit up against Jacksonville. That would be a blow to Seattle’s linebacking core, which was already on thin ice after last week’s defensive letdown. The statuses of Lawrence, Love, Witherspoon, and Woolen remain in doubt and likely won’t be decided until later in the week.

Perhaps the most concerning update is on Ernest Jones IV. He played the full game in Week 5 against Tampa Bay, and the shoulder injury only surfaced afterward.

That hints at either a delayed diagnosis or a cautious approach by the medical staff-either way, his availability for Sunday is now in jeopardy. Emmanwori re-aggravated an ankle that’s bothered him all season, although he managed to return during the Bucs game.

Seattle is clearly walking a fine line between pushing through injuries and keeping players healthy for the long haul.

What’s becoming increasingly clear is that this isn’t just a short-term blip. Two weeks ago, Seattle was flirting with top-five status in most defensive metrics.

There was swagger in the trenches, young stars in the secondary, and just enough edge rush to make quarterbacks uncomfortable. But fast-forward to mid-October, and the cracks are showing.

After surrendering 38 points at home to the Buccaneers, the unit that once looked like a defensive pillar is now scrambling to find healthy bodies.

It’s not just about talent-it’s about continuity. This sport thrives on repetition and chemistry, especially on defense where one lapse can undo a perfect scheme.

When you're swapping in-and-out starters on a weekly basis, especially in the secondary, breakdowns happen. And that’s exactly what Seattle saw in Week 5-missed coverages, soft zones exploited, and a failure to close out in the red zone.

The matchup with Jacksonville doesn’t offer much relief, even if the Jaguars haven’t been lighting the league on fire offensively. What they do have is balance and a quarterback who can extend plays. If Seattle trots out a depleted defensive group again, with inexperienced depth forced into starting roles, the risk is another high-scoring disappointment-and a third straight game where the defense looks more like a liability than an asset.

The narrative has shifted quickly. Injuries will do that.

Just two weeks ago, this Seahawks defense had the look of a unit ready to carry them through a competitive NFC West. Now it’s about surviving Sunday.