Quenton Nelson Downgraded as Six Seahawks Starters Miss Thursday Practice

Nelson’s uncertain availability creates a likely guard reshuffle that could weaken Seattle’s offense and affect its 4-4 standing in the NFC West.

Overview

Quenton Nelson was downgraded on Thursday’s injury report and did not practice because of a knee issue, leaving his status for Sunday’s game uncertain.
Six regular starters — Sam Darnold, Rashid Shaheed, Charles Cross, Quenton Nelson, Leonard Williams and Derick Hall — did not take part in Thursday practice.
Right guard Anthony Bradford was upgraded to full participation on Thursday and is the immediate fallback to resume a conventional guard alignment if Nelson can’t play.
If Bradford slides back to right guard, rookie Grey Zabel is projected to move from the right side to left guard, reversing the shift that followed Seattle’s recent acquisition of Nelson from the Colts.
The availability of Nelson and other starters matters for Sunday’s NFC West game because Seattle is 4-4 and a loss could drop them to the bottom of the division depending on the Rams’ result.