Breaking: Seahawks OLB Derick Hall suspended one game for unnecessary roughness
The ruling and the hit
The NFL has suspended Seattle outside linebacker Derick Hall for one game after reviewing an unnecessary roughness play from the Seahawks game against the Rams. The league notified the team today. Hall will be ineligible for the next game unless an appeal overturns the decision.
The play fell under the league’s strict player safety standards. Officials flagged it during the game, then the league office took a closer look with standard postgame review. That is the process the NFL has leaned on in recent seasons. The focus is clear. Lower the target, reduce head and neck contact, and remove late or dangerous hits from the field.
This is a setback for a young edge rusher who has carved out a steady role in Seattle’s front. Hall brings length, first step quickness, and a strong edge set against the run. Losing him for a week changes how Seattle rolls its pass rush groups and special teams units.
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Derick Hall is suspended one game for unnecessary roughness from the Seahawks vs Rams game. He can appeal. If the appeal fails, he must sit the next game.
What it means for Seattle’s pass rush
Seattle has leaned on waves up front. Boye Mafe and Uchenna Nwosu headline the edge room, with Darrell Taylor as a key rotational rusher. Hall has been the next man, a physical presence who can set the edge on early downs and chase on long downs. Without him, the rotation tightens.
Head coach Mike Macdonald and defensive coordinator Aden Durde will adjust the plan. Expect more snaps for Taylor in neutral downs, and more hybrid looks with a defensive end walked up as a stand-up rusher. Inside, Leonard Williams, Dre’Mont Jones, and Jarran Reed can create push that helps the edges finish. This staff is comfortable with simulated pressures. They can show pressure with five or six, then rush four from a different angle. That can help replace Hall’s speed off the corner.
- More early-down work for Taylor and Mafe on the edges
- Extra interior games for Williams and Jones to free the ends
- Occasional slot pressure to stress protections
- A likely practice squad elevation to cover special teams snaps
Snap distribution and special teams
Hall plays on multiple kick units. That cannot be ignored. Special teams rely on trust and timing. Seattle will need a clean replacement, likely a depth linebacker or a long-levered defensive end who can run. The coverage lanes must hold up, especially if the game script swings toward field position.
On defense, the coaching point is discipline. Set the edge. Keep the quarterback in the well. Hall’s strength is forcing runs back inside and squeezing bootlegs. To cover that, Seattle may use more under fronts and safety support to the tight end side. It is a subtle chess move, but it closes off the space Hall usually controls.
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Seattle can offset the loss with tighter edges and interior twist timing. Quick, well-timed movement inside often creates the same pressure Hall’s speed would bring outside.
The bigger picture for Hall and the league
The NFL has drawn a hard line on player safety. The standard is simple. Hits that are high, late, or unnecessary will face fines or suspensions. This decision fits that push. It is also a message to a young edge rusher still building his profile in the league.
Hall has the right to appeal. Appeals in these cases move quickly. A ruling can come before kickoff, which keeps the plan flexible for the coaching staff. Either way, the tape becomes a teachable moment. Strikers have to throttle down near the pocket. Strike zone matters. So do angles and timing.
For Hall, the task is clear. Clean up the strike zone, keep the physical edge, and return to a growing role. He has the tools to be a steady every down player. He wins with motor and leverage. The suspension does not erase that. It does raise the bar for technique on contact.
For Seattle, this is about culture and details. The best defenses play on a wire but stay within the line. That is what Macdonald wants. Smart aggression. If the appeal upholds the suspension, Seattle must survive a week without a key rotational piece, then welcome him back sharper.
Conclusion
This is a jolt to Seattle’s front and to a young pass rusher finding his place. The league’s stance is firm, and the Seahawks must adjust fast. Whether the appeal changes the verdict or not, the blueprint does not change. Win the edge. Rush with control. Finish clean. Hall’s next snap will be judged on those terms, and so will Seattle’s response.
