Kyle Fuller returns to start on O-line. And Seahawks have a new running back at Washington

Gregg Bell
·2 min read
Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, right, watches Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, left, warmup on the field prior to the start of the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

The Seahawks had a new left guard, a new running back for their latest must-win game.

Kyle Fuller, benched as the team’s starting center after seven games, returned to the offensive line Monday night to start at left guard against Washington. Fuller, a backup guard in 2019 into ‘20 with Seattle, replaced injured Damien Lewis.

Lewis was inactive because of a shoulder injury he got the previous week in the Seahawks’ home loss to Arizona.

“Kyle’s always been a very versatile player,” Seahawks general manager John Schneider said on the team’s radio pregame show from FedEx Field. “He’s played all five spots in the National Football League.

“He’ll be playing left guard tonight.”

Asked if Lewis might be available this coming weekend when Seattle (3-7 entering Monday) hosts San Francisco (6-5), Schneider said: “I don’t know, quite honestly.”

Lewis will go through more medical evaluations deep into the week.

Fuller lost his job when Ethan Pocic, the 2020 starting center, returned from injured reserve last month.

The Seahawks signed Phil Haynes from the practice squad to the active roster to back up Fuller at guard in Washington.

Running back Rashaad Penny was inactive Monday, out with a strained hamstring he got on his 18-yard run on the first play of the Arizona game he started because Alex Collins’ groin and hip were hurting.

“He’s doing well with his recovery,” Schneider said of Penny’s latest of four years of injuries since the GM drafted the San Diego State rusher in the first round of the 2018 draft. “It’s too bad. We thought he was going to have a good day (against Arizona), after that first run.”

With running back Travis Homer also injured and inactive plus Chris Carson having season-ending neck surgery

The Seahawks promoted running back Josh Johnson from the practice squad Monday. He was in uniform against Washington.

“He runs with really good pad level. Instinctive,” Schneider said of the undrafted rookie from Louisiana-Monroe.

“Obviously, everybody’s extremely bummed out about Chris not being with us. Kind of that lead dog.”

The Seahawks’ other inactive players Monday: third quarterback Jacob Eason again, cornerback Nigel Warrior just off injured reserve, backup center Dakoda Shepley and defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche.

L.J. Collier, the team’s 2019 first-round pick, got the defensive-tackle rotation spot Nkemdiche has had over him most of this season.