Seattle Seahawks' Offensive Line Continues to Shift in Wake of Injuries

(Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

The Seattle Seahawks continue to face a myriad of injuries to their offensive line. The most recent casualty was Pro Bowl left tackle Walter Jones.

Jones left practice on Monday with back problems, and after sitting out practice for the following two days the team announced that he was scheduled for arthroscopic knee surgery to remove scar tissue in his surgically repaired left knee (details here).

Jones' injury only magnifies the Seahawks Achilles heel over the past calendar year: the inability of the offensive line to remain healthy.

Every opening day starter for the 2008 Seattle Seahawks offensive line finished the season on the injured reserve.

Approaching the 2009 season, these health concerns have continued.

The first Seahawks loss on the offensive line occurred the day before training camp opened, when Pro Bowl left guard Mike Wahle was released by the Seahawks after failing his physical. Wahle had not wholly recovered from offseason shoulder surgery.

In the first week of training camp, incumbent center Chris Spencer sprained his ankle and has missed time intermittently since then. He was a game-time decision for the Chargers game last weekend and, if he continues to progress, should be ready for the season opener next month.

Tackle Ray Willis has also regularly missed time during training camp due to soreness in his left knee. This was planned, however, as the Seahawks have intentionally limited Willis' practice time due to a history of knee problems.

With the injury to Walter Jones, Willis' contributions are expected to increase greatly, which could place more strain on his bad knee.

Guard Mansfield Wrotto sat out on two different occasions with a leg bruise. The injury was not considered serious, but Wrotto is currently slated to start (although rookie Max Unger could wrestle the starting gig away from him), and any nicks and bruises cannot be taken lightly.

On top of Spencer, Willis, and Wrotto missing practice, veteran offensive linemen Cory Withrow and Grey Ruegamer have also missed significant time during training camp.

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