Just what Seahawks’ so-far awful defense doesn’t need: Al Woods missing from its middle

The Seahawks have a big issue in the middle of their already last-ranked defense.

Nose tackle Al Woods, 6 feet 4 and at least his listed 330 pounds, is doubtful to play Sunday when Seattle (2-3) gets a chance to tie for first place in the NFC West with their division game against the Arizona Cardinals (2-3) at Lumen Field.

That’s less than optimal for a defense ranked last against the run in the NFL and last in total yards allowed. The Seahawks have given up 84 points the last two weeks — with Woods playing in the middle of Seattle’s 3-4 line.

Woods, a co-captain of the defense with Pro Bowl safety Quandre Diggs, injured his knee with 5:54 left in the third quarter of the Seahawks’ 39-32 loss at the New Orleans Saints last weekend. The 35-year-old was making a tackle on Alvin Kamara’s 1-yard run, then appeared to trip over his own feet. He stumbled and all his 330-plus pounds landed on his left knee first into the artificial turf.

“He wasn’t able to practice yet (this week),” coach Pete Carroll said following practice Friday.

Woods was out on the fringes of practice Friday for the first time this week. He talked with a trainer while teammates warmed up in the first minutes the media was permitted to view the light workout.

Asked if the team feared a longer-term absence for Woods beyond Sunday’s game, Carroll said: “No, because he was out running (Friday), trying to get ready.”

Defensive coordinator and last year’s line coach Clint Hurtt mentioned Shelby Harris, the starting right defensive end playing inside offensive tackles as a three-technique defensive tackle, and reserve Bryan Mone as the first options to play nose tackle over the Cardinals’ center Sunday.

Poona Ford, the left defensive end so far this season, has also played nose tackle in previous Seahawks seasons.

“So we have some options to be able to make up for the big guy,” Hurtt said.

“You are not finding Al Woods, but we have some options to try and spell it.”

The Seahawks need more than “spelling” guys on the defense that is likely to have elusive Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray running at and around them often on Sunday.

Harris has been hurting this week. Friday was his first practice since he injured his hip playing 42 snaps against the Saints. He’s questionable to play against the Cardinals Sunday.

The Seahawks have issues directly behind the banged-up defensive line, too. Carroll and Hurtt have benched Darrell Taylor the last two games at left outside linebacker. Rookie Boye Mafe has replaced Taylor as the starter. Taylor has been a situational pass rusher and not a consistently effective one the last two weeks.

Seattle has eight sacks in five games.

Right outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu has made the biggest plays most often on Seattle’s defense. But he’s been playing 80% of the defensive snaps, by far the most of the former Charger’s five-year career.

The Seahawks this week signed back for the third time outside linebacker Bruce Irvin, who turns 35 in three weeks. Irvin could debut Sunday, giving Nwosu and Mafe breaks as the coaches try to find a rotation of linebackers that finally works.

Irvin signed to the practice squad Wednesday until he proves ready to play after not doing so since the end of last season for Chicago. It will take signing him or promoting him to the active roster for Irvin to play Sunday against Arizona.

The Seahawks opened a spot on the 53-man active roster Friday by placing Rashaad Penny on injured reserve. The lead running back is out for the year after surgery to repair three major injuries in his lower left leg Tuesday.

Rookie Ken Walker will make his first NFL start Sunday, for Penny. Walker, the team’s second-round draft choice from Michigan State, had his first pro touchdown last week at New Orleans. His 69-yard run came one quarter after Penny got hurt.

Ryan Neal, who had a high-ankle sprain most of August, did not practice Friday. The team listed him with a new ankle issue. The new (as of last week) starting safety has no injury designation for Sunday’s game, though.

He sure sounded ready to play at the beginning of this week.

“You either get the job done, or another person is going to do it,” Neal said after Seattle’s loss at New Orleans. “This is just real, you know what I’m sayin’?

“There’s no panicking. Guys have to get the job done. Guys have to execute. If you don’t, you can’t play here. That’s just what it is.

“This organization built itself on that. We’ve had examples in the past, with the L.O.B. (“Legion of Boom” secondary) and the OGs and all those guys.”

Yes, those “OGs”: Chancellor, Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright, Michael Bennett, Red Bryant, Cliff Avril. They established a Super Bowl-winning standard in Seattle beginning 10 years ago.

This year’s Seahawks defense is threatening to shame if not erase that legacy in fewer than 10 games.

Starting left guard Gabe Jackson joins Woods in being doubtful. Jackson’s knee and hip injuries from the Saints game has Phil Haynes ready for his fourth start of his four-year career Sunday.

Wide receivers Dee Eskridge and Marquise Goodwin are questionable officially. But both practiced Friday and Carroll indicated they are likely to play Sunday.

The Cardinals will be without lead running back James Connor and backup Darrel Williams. Arizona also declared kicker Matt Prater out for the game with an injury. Cardinals cornerback Byron Murphy, the former University of Washington standout, and starting center Rodney Hudson are questionable.