Pregame from Lumen Field: No DK Metcalf again; Christian Haynes falls to Seahawks sweats

Life without DK Metcalf continues for the Seahawks.

Seattle’s hulking, star wide receiver was inactive for the second consecutive game Sunday because the sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee. He missed a game for the third time in his six-year NFL career as his Seahawks hosted the NFC West-rival Los Angeles Rams without him at Lumen Field.

On Friday, when the Seahawks declared Metcalf out for the Rams game, coach Mike Macdonald said they were hoping the two weeks he’s missed and not practiced and the bye the team will be on this week will be enough healing time for Metcalf to play in Seattle’s next game. That’s Nov. 17 at San Francisco.

“It’s week-to-week,” Macdonald said Friday.

Just need more time.”

The coach had said at the beginning of the week he was “optimistic” Macdonald would play this weekend.

“It’s nothing that he could have done differently. We just need more time for him,” Macdonald said. “That’s what’s best for him and the team.”

Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba had Jake Bobo moved up again as the third wide receiver with them against the Rams Sunday. Kick returner Laviska Shenault was again the fourth man in the rotation without Metcalf.

Ernest Jones IV faces his former team

Ernest Jones had reason to be looking forward to Sunday, after all.

The middle linebacker the Rams drafted in 2021, started in a Super Bowl win at the end of his rookie season, then made a captain began this past week talking about how much he was looking forward to playing his former team for the first time.

“I’m excited,” Jones said.

Then Friday his neck stiffened. He missed practiced. The Seahawks listed him questionable to play the Rams.

Sunday, he was active and starting his second game for Seattle since his third team in two months acquired him in a trade from Tennessee.

Of his trade to the Titans two months ago, before the Seahawks traded with the Titans to add him to the middle of their defense last week, Jones said: “Yeah, I was definitely surprised. Yeah, surprised, the word I used. Definitely was shocked about the decisions that they made.

“But they taught me a lot in that process. Taught me a lot about the business. You’re never secure, no matter what you’ve done. So that’s kind of what I’ve learned in that position.”

Noah Fant out

Lead tight end Noah Fant missed a game for the first time this season. He left practice Wednesday with a groin injury that Macdonald then said could keep Fant out multiple weeks.

Rookie AJ Barner was already gaining in prominence before Fant got hurt. Barner was poised for more opportunities Sunday. The fourth-round draft choice from Michigan and Indiana entered Sunday with 10 catches for 105 yards and a touchdown in eight games.

Christian Haynes’ drop

Rookie third-round pick Christian Haynes had alternated multiple series with starter Anthony Bradford at right guard in six of Seattle’s first eight games.

This past week, Macdonald and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said Bradford’s improved play recently has earned him playing entire games. The rotation was over, for now.

Sunday, Haynes went from alternating with the starting offense to inactive, in sweat clothes on the sideline during the Rams game.

Other inactives

The Seahawks’ other inactive players Sunday: Rookie cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett, reserve linebacker Trevis Gipson (for the fourth consecutive games), reserve defensive lineman Myles Adams and rookie guard Sataoa Laumea.