INJURY UPDATE: Two Stars Jarran Reed and Julian Love Activated to the Active Roster – Mike Macdonald Confirms First Scheme Change in Two Years
Seattle, Washington – 06/12/2025
The Seattle Seahawks received a massive boost ahead of their Week 14 showdown, activating defensive tackle Jarran Reed and safety Julian Love to the 53-man roster. Both veterans spent the past month on injured reserve, but after a full week of practice without setbacks, head coach Mike Macdonald made it official: Seattle’s defensive core is whole again — and for the first time in two seasons, the Seahawks are preparing to change the way they play defense.
The return of Reed and Love marks a rare moment late in the NFL calendar when a contending team gets significantly stronger. Reed, the emotional anchor of Seattle’s defensive line, brings interior power and veteran communication that the unit has quietly missed. Love, meanwhile, has been one of the league’s most versatile safeties since his arrival, capable of lining up deep, in the slot, or crashing down as an extra linebacker.
Macdonald acknowledged that having both veterans back simultaneously isn’t just a luxury — it’s the catalyst for a strategic evolution he’s been waiting to unleash.
“When you get two leaders like Jarran and Julian back at the same time, you don’t just plug them in — you rethink how far you can push the defense,” Macdonald said. “This is the first time in two years we’ve had the personnel to expand our identity, and we’re going to take advantage of it.”
Sources within the building confirm that Seattle has been installing new wrinkles throughout the week, including heavier disguised pressures, rotated coverages, and a more aggressive front designed specifically around Reed’s strength and Love’s range. With the Seahawks sitting at 9–3 and locked in a tight NFC West race with the Rams, the timing couldn’t be better.
Love’s return also eases the workload on breakout safety Ty Okada, who played admirably in his absence. With Reed back, Seattle’s defensive front finally returns to full depth, allowing Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II to shift back into roles where they’ve dominated.
The injury report entering Sunday is one of Seattle’s cleanest all year — no active-roster players carry a designation. It is the healthiest and deepest Macdonald has had his defense since taking over.
And with full strength comes full ambition.
Seattle has spent two seasons building toward a defensive identity rooted in speed, disguise, and relentless pressure. Now, with Reed and Love back in uniform, that identity may be about to evolve into something even more dangerous.
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