Seattle Seahawks Walter Thurmond suspended four games
Rob Housler (84) breaks a tackle by Seattle Seahawks cornerback Walter Thurmond (28) during the third quarter at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Arizona, 58-0. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Seattle Seahawks star cornerback Walter Thurmond has been excellent starting in the place of Brandon Browner, who is out for 4-6 weeks after sustaining a severely pulled groin in the win over the Atlanta Falcons a couple of weeks ago. Thurmond, who usually locks down the slot, moved to the outside as the Legion of Boom’s starting outside corner and immediately played well.
But now, the Seahawks will be without Thurmond and Browner for the next four games, as the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Thurmond has been suspended four games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Per Rapoport, Thurmond will be “dropping” his appeal “early this week”, and the suspension to Thurmond is a big blow to the Seahawks defense.
But the Seahawks have such a great record and such a great defense that, in the long run, this suspension won’t mean too much. Thurmond will be back in time for the playoffs, and hopefully Browner will be back by then. One of the better corners in the league, Thurmond locks down receivers in the slot and is an excellent run defender. His talent was a reason why the Seahawks cut Antoine Winfield in training camp, because they realized Thurmond is much cheaper and plenty good himself.
Jeremy Lane will move up as will Byron Maxwell, and both players are good, underrated corners who will do fine in Thurmond’s- and Browner’s- stead. Keep an eye on Lane and Maxwell, and the Seahawks shouldn’t miss a beat. It’s a tough blow, but they have enough talent on defense, an excellent safety duo in the elite Earl Thomas and hard-hitting Kam Chancellor, and then guys like Maxwell and Lane can’t be underrated.