The Seattle Seahawks finally unleashed Shaquem Griffin on the defensive side of the ball against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 10, giving him 14 snaps as a pass rusher off the edge.
Although he did not record any statistics, Griffin performed well enough to earn more opportunities, according to coach Pete Carroll.
“The thing that he really brings is a whole level of speed and activity that we like,” Carroll said on Monday. “We’ve been working him in practice. We just want to continue to expand that and see how that goes. We have to use him better. As we see him, we’re learning more about what we can do with him. He was a good addition, I thought.”
Griffin’s expanded role will almost certainly come at the expense of veteran Ziggy Ansah, who has struggled mightily in his first season with the Seahawks.
Ansah and Griffin tied with 14 defensive snaps apiece against San Francisco, and Ansah never returned to the game after committing a neutral zone infraction late in the contest. His poor showing this season is starting to catch up with him, and Carroll made it clear his playing time is no longer guaranteed.
“We’ve got to look at Shaquem and make some time,” Carroll continued. “It’s just about reps and competing.”
Griffin and Ansah will likely both get opportunities to rush the passer on Sunday against the Eagles, and how they perform will dictate their playing time going forward.
