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3 Seahawks who must step up to replace Jamal Adams after ‘serious’ knee injury

By Aryanna Prasad

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 12: (L-R) Quandre Diggs #6, head coach Pete Carroll and Jamal Adams #33 of the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field speak during the second quarter on September 12, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jane Gershovich/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 12: (L-R) Quandre Diggs #6, head coach Pete Carroll and Jamal Adams #33 of the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field speak during the second quarter on September 12, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jane Gershovich/Getty Images) /
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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 21: Ryan Neal #26 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on prior to a game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on December 21, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 21: Ryan Neal #26 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on prior to a game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on December 21, 2021 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Ryan Neal

Ryan Neal wasn’t the one succeeding Adams on the field for the majority of snaps, but he is the one who’s been in Seattle since 2019.

Neal was limited at practice on Thursday due to a high-ankle sprain, an injury he’s been battling since early August, per CBS Sports.

Neal only took two defensive snaps during their Monday night win, but he did take 12 on special teams, which accounted for 63 percent of special teams snaps. In addition to operating as a strong safety, Neal is invaluable on special teams, meaning that the Seahawks want him back in the rotation yet remain wary of his ankle injury.

If Neal continues to heal, he will likely be worked into the mix in the coming weeks.

Here’s what Seahawks fans can expect from Neal when his number is called, per SI’s Corbin K. Smith:

"“Anytime the Seahawks have called upon Neal, he has came through for them in a big way thanks to his physicality, toughness, and underrated ball skills. Two years ago, with Adams sidelined for nearly a month, he provided the secondary with a monumental lift. Even late last year when the playoffs were out of reach, his presence ensured Seattle wouldn’t have to deal with a massive drop off in play at strong safety.”"

Neal was already in a fascinating position to take a step forward this season, especially with future contract negations looming in the coming offseason. Neal has over 800 defensive snaps and 500 special teams snaps under his belt, and with Adams out, he’s set to make a strong case to prolong his career with the Seahawks.

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