The Seattle Seahawks downgraded starting right guard Anthony Bradford from questionable to out for Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, putting third-year lineman Christian Haynes in position to make the first start of his NFL career.
Seattle also elevated safety Rodney Thomas II from the practice squad for the second straight week. The moves add another change to a Week 2 lineup that was already set to feature Drew Lock at quarterback after FSN previously reported that Sam Darnold had been ruled out.
Anthony Bradford is out after being questionable Friday
Bradford had been listed as questionable on Seattle’s final injury report with knee and hip injuries. He was limited earlier in the week before missing Friday’s practice, and the Seahawks made the final downgrade Saturday.
Head coach Mike Macdonald had already identified Haynes as the next man up if Bradford could not play. If Seattle follows that plan Sunday, Haynes will make his first NFL start.
The timing matters because the Seahawks are already changing quarterbacks for Week 2. A new starter at right guard adds another moving piece for an offense preparing to play on the road with Lock replacing Darnold.
Christian Haynes gets an opportunity on the offensive line
Haynes entered the league as a third-round pick in 2024 and has worked behind Seattle’s interior starters. Bradford’s absence creates the clearest opportunity yet for him to take a full starting workload.
The assignment will be important for both pass protection and the run game. Seattle will want to keep the pocket stable for Lock and avoid putting additional pressure on an offense already operating without its starting quarterback.
One game does not settle a long-term depth-chart question, but a start against Arizona gives Haynes a meaningful chance to show how he handles a full regular-season workload.
Rodney Thomas II elevated for a second straight game
Seattle also used a standard elevation on safety Rodney Thomas II. He played 70 of 71 defensive snaps in the Week 1 win over New England while filling in for injured safety Ty Okada.
Thomas made an immediate impact in that game, including a pass breakup that led to a Nehemiah Pritchett interception. With Okada ruled out again because of a hamstring injury, Thomas is positioned for another significant role.
The elevation allows Seattle to use Thomas on game day without permanently adding him to the 53-man roster. He will revert to the practice squad after the game under the standard elevation process.
Seattle still has uncertainty at safety
Okada is out, while Nick Emmanwori entered the weekend questionable with ankle and hip injuries. That makes Thomas’ availability especially useful because Seattle may again need him for a near full-time defensive workload.
The Seahawks have already seen what he can provide in that role. Rather than introducing an untested replacement, Seattle can turn back to a player who handled almost every defensive snap in the opener.
What changes for Seahawks-Cardinals
The most notable new change is on the offensive line. Bradford’s downgrade means Seattle must prepare to protect Lock with a different starting right guard, and Haynes is the expected replacement.
Defensively, Thomas’ elevation gives the Seahawks continuity while Okada remains sidelined. The remaining question is whether Emmanwori is active and how Seattle divides its safety snaps if he is available.
For a team already navigating a quarterback change, Saturday’s update adds one more adjustment up front but also gives the defense a familiar answer at safety.
Sources
- Seattle Seahawks: Rodney Thomas II elevated; Anthony Bradford downgraded to out (September 19, 2026)
- Seattle Seahawks: Week 2 injury report vs. Cardinals (September 18, 2026)
- NFL.com: Saturday NFL news roundup (September 19, 2026)