RENTON -- The Seahawks have lost a second player in the span of a week to a performance-enhancing drugs suspension.
Just four days after wide receiver Josh Gordon was suspended indefinitely for substance-abuse and PED violations, defensive tackle Al Woods was suspended four games by the NFL for a violation of the league's performance-enhancing drugs policy.
Woods has been one of Seattle's key run defenders this season. He's appeared in all 14 games and made five starts along Seattle's defensive interior.
"Really not much we can say about. He's been a great kid in the program and all that. We've loved what he's done," Carroll said.
Woods will miss the next four games he would be otherwise eligible to play. He will miss the final two games of the regular season and at least a playoff game for Seattle. If the Seahawks are one-and-done in the postseason, his remaining game would carry over to next regular season. Woods is eligible to return to the team upon completion of his suspension. If the Seahawks earn a first-round bye in the playoffs, he can return for the Super Bowl if Seattle gets there. If they have to play Wild Card weekend, Woods can return for the NFC Championship, again, if Seattle gets there.
The Seahawks will promote defensive tackle Bryan Mone from the practice squad to take Woods' spot on the roster.
Mone played in three games for Seattle at the start of the season while Jarran Reed was serving a six-game suspension.
"He's a real big, strong guy. We love the way he plays and competes and all that. He'll just step right in," Carroll said.
Mone made the team as an undrafted free agent with his play in training camp and the preseason. He's spent most of the year on the practice squad since his release from the active roster.
"Way more comfortable than before," Mone said. "Just doing what they tell me to do and keeping a positive mindset."
Jadeveon Clowney, Quandre Diggs doubtful against Cardinals:
The Seahawks will likely be without defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and free safety Quandre Diggs for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Both players are listed as doubtful to play. Clowney is still trying to manage a core muscle injury after recovering from a case of the flu last week.
"We've got to see if he can elevate that here in the next couple days and surprise us. We didn't get much out of practice-wise. He just couldn't go yet," Carroll said.
"It's just been over time it's just been a problem. Just can't quite get going yet during the week. We're looking to give him days off to see if the rest will help him by game day. ... If he can't make it back, he can't make it back. So we've just got to keep waiting on it and see if we can take care of him and maybe the right combination of rest and all that will get it done."
Diggs sustained a high-ankle sprain against the Carolina Panthers last Sunday and has been unable to practice.
"We have not been able to even get him on the field at all so it's looking like it's going to be hard for him to make it," Carroll said.
Lano Hill is expected to assume the starting role in place of Diggs on Sunday if he is out.
Cornerback Shaquill Griffin and linebacker Mychal Kendricks are both questionable to play with hamstring injuries. Left tackle Duane Brown is also questionable with knee and biceps injuries.
Kendricks was able to be limited in practice on Wednesday and Friday. Griffin was limited on Wednesday but did not practice the final two days of the week.
"Mychal worked today and we were real quiet... Shaq worked out in the morning and did his stuff so we'll have to take that all the way to game-time and see what happens," Carroll said.
Cody Barton would likely remain as the starting strong-side linebacker in place of Kendricks as he has been the last two weeks. Akeem King would remain as the starting left cornerback in place of Griffin.
Defensive end Ziggy Ansah, linebacker Bobby Wagner and tight end Luke Willson are cleared to play on Sunday.
Ansah has missed the last two games due to a stinger in his neck that had caused some issues with his strength. That appears to be behind him now as Carroll said Ansah is in the best place he's been all year.
"Ziggy had his best week throughout the whole season," Carroll said. "This was the best week that he put together. He's been working out hard. He's the heaviest and strongest that he's been since he's been with us. Everything looks really positive. I'm really fired up for him to have a chance to get back in there and do some good stuff."
Wagner injured his ankle late last week against the Panthers but it wasn't serious. Willson has missed the last four games due to a hamstring strain that occurred against the San Francisco 49ers in early November.
Center Joey Hunt (fibula) and guard Mike Iupati (neck/ankle) were limited in practice all week but are expected to play.
Injury Report:
Photo Credit: PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 24: Al Woods #72 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates after recovering a first half fumble against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 24, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)