The Seattle Seahawks revealed a surprising change to Mike Macdonald’s coaching staff just days before the team’s Week 15 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Seattle announced that running backs coach Kennedy Polamalu is taking a leave of absence from the team.
The Seahawks did not reveal the reason for Polamalu’s absence, except to label it a personal matter. It is unknown how long the coach will be away from the team.
For now, Polamalu’s duties will be split between Justin Outten and Michael Byrne. Seattle announced the news on Wednesday, December 10, days before the team’s showdown against the Colts.
Heading into Week 15, the Seahawks have the No. 15 ranked rushing offense, averaging 117.8 yards per game. Seattle’s passing attack has been much more potent at 235.6 yards per contest, the ninth highest among NFL teams this season.
The Seahawks have one of the top scoring offenses in the NFL as the unit is posting 29.8 points per game, second only to the Detroit Lions.
Here’s what you need to know as the Seahawks prepare to take on the Colts.
44-Year-Old QB Philip Rivers Could Start vs. Seahawks
Seattle is preparing for an interesting wrinkle as Indianapolis signed 44-year-old Philip Rivers to the team’s practice squad. The Colts left the door open to Rivers starting against the Seahawks with Daniel Jones sidelined and Riley Leonard also dealing with a knee injury.
Rivers has not taken an NFL snap since January 3, 2021, meaning Sunday’s matchup would be the quarterback’s first game in nearly five years. The signal-caller retired in 2021. Rivers admitted to not exactly being in playing shape but expressed excitement about his improbable NFL return.
“It’s a coach that I love, an organization that I enjoyed being with,” Rivers explained after signing with the Colts, per The Athletic’s James Boyd. “… The teammates I was able to play with, shoot, 14 of them are still here. … And they wanted me. I tried to keep it as simple as that. The game I love to play, the game I thought I was done playing, certainly. I wasn’t really hanging on to any hope of playing again. I kind of thought that ship had sailed. But something about it excited me.
“It’s kind of one of those deals where the door opens, and you either walk through it and find out if you can do it, or you run from it. I know there’s risk involved, obviously, with what may or may not happen. But the only way to find out is to go for it,” Rivers continued.
“I just felt like almost like it was a gift, another opportunity to play, and cut it loose with the guys and the game you love to play. It’s the dream you got to live. And (now) you may get some bonus time.”
The Seahawks Are Nearly a 2-Touchdown Favorite vs. Colts in the NFL Odds for Week 15
The Colts had a surprising start to the season as Indy emerged as one of the best teams in the NFL. Yet, the injuries have caught up to the Colts as Indianapolis has lost three straight games and four of the team’s last five matchups.
Despite the team’s recent stumbles, the Colts sit at 8-5 and still in contention to win the AFC South. The Seahawks are a sizable 13.5-point home favorites versus the Colts, per FanDuel.
Seahawks Announce Surprising Coaching Change Days Before Colts Game