Seahawks’ Coach Mike Macdonald Criticizes Linebacker Derick Hall’s Suspension For Stepping On Kevin Dotson’s Leg

Seattle Seahawks’ coach Mike Macdonald has criticized the NFL’s suspension of outside linebacker Derick Hall.

“Just because we know Derick as a player, as a person,” Macdonald observed. “Since he’s been here, he’s been nothing but an A-plus-plus teammate, A-plus-plus football player and member of our community. It’s tough, so you feel for him. But we’ve got to pick it up for him while he’s gone.”

Following a matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams, the NFL suspended outside linebacker Derick Hall for one game without pay after he was seen stepping on the leg of Rams guard Kevin Dotson.

Near the end of the first quarter, Hall appeared to step on Dotson’s leg while Dotson was on the ground. The league later ruled the action “unnecessary.” Dotson later left the game with an ankle injury and did not return. Hall is expected to appeal the suspension, though the NFL has upheld its decision.

Rams head coach Sean McVay was asked about the incident involving Hall and Dotson after the game. “I think he was injured before, but it certainly didn’t help the matter,” McVay said. “It’s not the kind of stuff we want in our game.”

Hall, a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has been part of a four-man outside linebacker rotation this season, averaging around 30 snaps per game.

Seattle went on to win the game after mounting a 16-point comeback. The rally was capped by a touchdown from wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba in overtime and finished with a successful two-point conversion. The result marked the first time an NFL game was decided in overtime on a two-point conversion.

The win moved the Seahawks to 12–3 on the season, while the Rams dropped to 11–4. Combined with a 49ers victory, the loss pushed Los Angeles into third place in the NFC standings and moved Seattle into first place in the division.

With the season nearing its end, Hall’s suspension could hurt Seattle’s defense moving forward, as depth will be increasingly important. Knee injuries to Coby Bryant and cornerback Riq Woolen late in the game further complicate matters, leaving the Seahawks short-handed heading into next week’s matchup against the Falcons.