Riq Woolen’s late taunting penalty in the NFC Championship helped the Rams close within four, nearly swinging the game, but Seattle prevailed; Woolen apologized and drew support from fans and teammates, with Macdonald calling it an emotional lapse.
In the Rams-Seahawks NFC Championship, Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen drew a taunting penalty after breaking up a pass to Puka Nacua on third-and-12, giving the Rams a 15-yard automatic first down. On the next play, Stafford targeted Nacua for a 34-yard touchdown, putting Los Angeles within four at 31-27 with 2:06 left in the third.
Bleacher Report flags a relatively weak 2026 free-agent class and five high-profile targets—Daniel Jones, Isaiah Likely, Jaelan Phillips, Alontae Taylor, and Riq Woolen—whose injury histories or inconsistent production make long-term, big-money deals risky, so teams should proceed with caution.
The Seattle Seahawks had all five offensive linemen play every snap for the first time this season, resulting in improved pass protection and a more effective running game. The offensive line allowed only two sacks and created openings for the running back. On the defensive side, there were changes in the lineup, with Mike Jackson Sr. replacing Riq Woolen and performing well. Frank Clark saw limited playing time, while other players stepped up. Overall, the improved continuity on the offensive line is a positive development for the Seahawks.
Pro Bowl cornerback Riq Woolen is likely to miss the Seattle Seahawks' Week 3 game against the Carolina Panthers due to a chest injury, while Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams may also be out for another week as he continues to recover from a torn quad tendon. The Seahawks have added cornerback depth by promoting Artie Burns from the practice squad, and Tre Brown is expected to start if Woolen is unable to play. The team also made several other roster moves, including signing tight end Brady Russell and placing rookie defensive end Mike Morris on injured reserve.
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III returned to practice after being sidelined with a groin injury, while cornerback Riq Woolen participated in team practice for the first time since coming off the physically unable to perform list. The competition for the starting left cornerback position is between Michael Jackson and Tre Brown, with rookie Devon Witherspoon also in the mix when he recovers from a hamstring injury. Receiver Cade Johnson is recovering well from a concussion, but several players, including Dee Eskridge, Olu Oluwatimi, Jon Rhattigan, and Devin Bush, sat out practice due to various injuries sustained in the preseason game against the Vikings.