Seahawks Breakout Star Could Miss Titans Game for Personal Reasons
The Seattle Seahawks are on a high following their 20-17 victory against the Philadelphia Eagles in Monday Night Football. Despite starting safety Jamal Adams being sidelined with a knee injury, Julian Love stepped up impressively.
Love, who signed a two-year, $12 million contract with Seattle in the offseason, made a significant impact by recording two interceptions, including a crucial pick against Eagles receiver A.J. Brown. Recognizing his standout performance, the NFL named Love the NFC’s Defensive Player of the Week.
Post-game, when asked if his two-interception game was the highlight of his week, Love shared that it was not. He revealed that he and his wife, Julia Love, were anticipating the arrival of their baby boy on December 20. Love expressed his hope for a healthy baby boy during his interaction with reporters, acknowledging his wife’s resilience during the hectic football season. He looked forward to the possibility of sharing news about the newborn in the near future.
Two picks might not be the highlight of Julian Love’s week: Love and his wife are welcoming a baby Wednesday
“Hopefully next time you hear from me I’ll have a newborn in my hands” pic.twitter.com/OVHcFPW5Um
— Stacy Jo Rost (@StacyRost) December 19, 2023
However, despite Wednesday having come and gone, Love’s child has not yet been born. Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll informed reporters on Friday, December 22, that Love would not be traveling with the team to Nashville. If the baby does not arrive before Sunday, Love will be absent from Seattle’s game against the Tennessee Titans.
Love (no pun intended) to see that Julian Love and his wife have been together since high school, all the way to Notre Dame, to now.
I really hope for the Seahawks sake, that she has the baby tonight or tomorrow tho ❤️
Congrats to the Love family! https://t.co/xqhe9c5sAi pic.twitter.com/spbWawDIlT
— Seattle ON Tap (@SeattleONTap) December 22, 2023
“As far as we know, we do not yet have a child.” So we don’t know anything about Julian,” Carroll told reporters, according to The News Tribune. “However, Julian will not be accompanying the squad. Otherwise, he will travel (when he is able).Carroll stated that Love will do “whatever he has to do.” “He has to take care of his wife and baby.'”
Carroll, like the 12s, wishes Love and his wife nothing but the best. If Love is unable to go to Tennessee, the Seahawks will start Coby Bryant.
Julian Love was Expected to Be a Key Starter Against the Tennessee Titans
With a current record of 7-7, the Seahawks no longer have room for error if they aim to secure a spot in the postseason. Jordan Love has made a significant impact on the field, and at 25 years old, he was anticipated to become a regular starter.
In the ongoing season, Love has participated in all 14 games, starting nine of them. His stats include 99 total tackles, nine passes defensed, four interceptions, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Following the victory over the Eagles, coach Carroll praised Love’s talent, especially highlighting his outstanding plays and game-changing contributions.
Check out the amount of ground Julian Love covers to make this game-ending interception… He shot out of a cannon from his single high deep zone to jump this deep ball in front of A.J. Brown. pic.twitter.com/hZlovaFrnX
— Corbin K. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) December 20, 2023
After the game, Carroll expressed his admiration for Love, saying, “Love’s game, building on what he did last week, was incredible. His plays this week were incredible. The last catch on the sidelines was exquisite, with toes tapping and securing the football, ultimately winning the game. He has been involved in four turnovers in the last two weeks. It’s impressive.”
Seahawks reporter John Boyle discussed Love’s limited playing time in his Weekly Mailbag Column, asserting that Love should be on the field as much as possible moving forward, regardless of other circumstances. Boyle suggested potential strategies for achieving this, such as employing more three-safety formations or giving Jamal Adams more rest to preserve his health, considering his ongoing recovery from last year’s torn quadriceps tendon. While uncertain about the exact unfolding of events in the coming weeks, Boyle’s intuition is that, based on Love’s performance, he will see significant playing time in the defense going forward.
Seahawks Safety Jamal Adams Is Not Flying With the Team to Tennessee Either
Adams is suffering with a chronic knee injury after signing a four-year, $70.5 million contract with Seattle in 2021. The All-Pro safety was labeled as “questionable” against the Eagles, but he was formally declared as inactive 90 minutes before kickoff.
When it became evident that Adams was not even at Lumen Field for the key game, questions emerged. “I think he was home,” Carroll remarked on Seattle Sports radio on December 19.
While Carroll has already stated that Adams will not be playing in Week 16, he also informed reporters on Friday that he would not be traveling with the team. Adams might be suspended for the rest of the season, but Carroll acknowledged that decision has yet to be made.