The Seattle Seahawks will go into Week 1 returning four of their five starters on the offensive line.
The fifth spot is expected to go to veteran guard Mike Iupati, although a calf injury may keep him out for Week 1.
If Iupati is unable to suit up in Week 1, third-year guard Ethan Pocic will get the starting nod. Pocic has struggled in the NFL since getting drafted late in the second round in 2017, but he has performed well this offseason and is poised to take over a starting role if necessary.
If that’s the case, coach Pete Carroll is confident that Pocic can step in and give the Seahawks solid production right away.
“If he plays the whole game, I’m fine, I feel very comfortable with that,” Carroll commented on Wednesday. “He’s played with our guys a lot. He’s got the experience and also, we’d love to have Mike [Iupati] back but if we don’t get him, then we’re in good shape.”
While Pocic is more than capable of starting in place of Iupati, losing him to the starting lineup actually hurts the Seahawks versatility. Pocic is capable of playing center, guard and tackle, and with Joey Hunt and George Fant both battling injuries, it would be nice to have Pocic’s versatility available off the bench.
However, his ascent into a starting-caliber guard this season gives Seattle a much-needed fill-in for Iupati – who has been injury prone – and D.J. Fluker, who missed games last year because of injuries as well.
“He has become just more powerful, he’s getting old man strength here by playing a few years,” Carroll said about Pocic. “Just in general, he holds up better in pass protection. He’s always been a really good ball player and been aggressive and all, but he seems like he’s harnessed a new level of power for himself and it shows up. He’s ready to go.”
The Seahawks will kick off the season at home on Sunday afternoon against the Bengals at 1:05 p.m. PT.
