The status of Seattle Seahawks tight end Cooper Helfet and nickel cornerback Jeremy Lane will be game-time decisions on whether they can play Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Friday before the team got on a plane and headed to Philadelphia.
“Coop [sprained ankle] wants to run and show us what he can do on game day,” Carroll said after practice. “We’ll see. Jeremy [glute injury] was limited [Friday] and we’ll take him all the way up to game time as well.”
Helfet is listed as doubtful and Lane is listed as questionable.
The Seahawks have an open roster spot and Carroll said they will fill it on Saturday, but he would not say who that player will be. It likely will be someone off the practice squad.
Starting cornerback Bryon Maxwell (shin) returned to full participation in practice Friday, which is helpful because Maxwell will move inside to Lane’s spot in nickel packages if Lane can’t play Sunday. That’s what the Seahawks did against the 49ers on Thanksgiving night when Lane was out.
Tharold Simon, who had four penalties called against him in the 49ers game, will move to Maxwell’s spot in the nickel packages. But the Seahawks also have the option of playing Marcus Burley at nickelback and leaving Maxwell outside.
Starting center Max Unger still is out with knee and ankle injuries, but Carroll is hopeful Unger can return next week. Lemuel Jeanpierre will make his second start at center after starting against the 49ers.