Ricardo Lockette Illness: Updates on Seahawks WR's Status and Return

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockette exited the Week 4 victory against the Detroit Lions due to illness, per Stephen Cohen of SeattlePI.com. However, the Seahawks announced Lockette wouldn't return due to shortness of breath. 

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Lockette Active for Week 5

Sunday, Oct. 11

The Seahawks did not list Lockette among the inactive players against the Cincinnati Bengals.

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Lockette Still Searching for Consistency 

While Lockette’s absence hurts the Seahawks' depth at the wide receiver position, he had only one catch for 23 yards on the season coming into Week 4. What’s more, Nathan Jahnke of Pro Football Focus noted that Lockette wasn’t on the field for most of the Seahawks' plays, and he wasn't a factor in the passing attack:

Seattle has more than enough pieces to survive Lockette’s absence.

Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse are proven commodities (as is tight end Jimmy Graham), and Tyler Lockett is a high-upside rookie from Kansas State whom the Seahawks took in the third round of the draft because of his speed and ability to make plays with the ball in his hands. Lockett was a second-team All-American and first-team All-Big 12 performer in his final collegiate season and is gradually becoming a force in Seattle’s offense.

Seattle also has quarterback Russell Wilson and a strong rushing attack with Marshawn Lynch (once the star running back returns from a hamstring injury) to carry the load.

The Seahawks are still Super Bowl contenders without Lockette, although they could use him for insurance purposes in case another one of the main offensive pieces suffers an injury.