With the preseason winding down, Seattle Seahawks players and coaches will look to finish things on a high note when the team travels to Oakland to match up with the Raiders.
Seeing as it is the fourth preseason game for both teams, the starters and key contributors aren’t expected to do too much. That leaves the door open for players fighting for roster spots and jobs to make a last impact on the coaching staff and decision makers.
This means that the likes of Russell Wilson, Earl Thomas and Bobby Wagner won’t play much, but there are a number of intriguing players to watch.
Players to watch
Currently stuck in a loaded backfield, rookie running back C.J. Prosise should see significant playing time on Thursday with the starters not playing much. The Notre Dame product made his preseason debut last week against the Cowboys and looked solid, making good cuts while racking up 23 yards on four carries. Also able to make a difference as a pass catcher, there’s a very real chance that Prosise operates as Seattle’s third-down back this season.
Similar to Prosise, fellow rookie Alex Collins could see increased carries at running back versus Oakland. More of a traditional, workhorse running back, Collins doesn’t have the pass-catching ability of Prosise. He seems likely to make the roster, but he’ll have to fend off competition from Troymaine Pope, who has shown well so far in the preseason.
Paul Richardson is also likely to make the team. However, after missing so much time due to injury over the past year, Thursday’s contest provides him an opportunity to build momentum heading into the regular season. The wide receiver gives Seattle’s offense another threat to take the top off of opposing defenses.
Familiar faces
Thursday’s preseason finale gives players from both teams a chance to match up with their former employers. The Seahawks currently employ a pair of former Raiders in safety Keenan Lambert and defensive end Ryan Robinson. On the other side of the field, Oakland has four ex-Hawks on the team’s books.
Coincidentally, all four play the same position. Linebackers Bruce Irvin, John Lotulelei, Malcolm Smith and Korey Toomer all spent varying amounts of time with the Seahawks.
Irvin, a former first-round pick in 2012, was the most successful of the group. A longtime starter, the 28-year-old accumulated 131 tackles, 22 sacks, seven pass deflections, four forced fumbles, three interceptions and two touchdowns as a Seahawk.
Additionally, Smith spent four seasons in the Pacific Northwest. Unlike Irvin, he played more of a reserve role, making just 16 starts. All told, he put up 83 tackles, nine pass deflections, four forced fumbles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a touchdown. The linebacker won Super Bowl MVP honors when the Hawks won it all in 2013.
Lotulelei played just one season in Seattle, making three tackles in two games. Toomer never played in an official game for the Hawks, but was with the team for a handful of years to begin his career.
Unsurprisingly, Oakland defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. was previously Seattle’s linebacker coach.
Kickoff
Thursday’ game is scheduled to kick off at 10:00 PM Eastern time.