Carroll: Seahawks are ‘banged up’ heading into Raiders game

A few Seahawks injury-related notes from coach Pete Carroll’s conversation with KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson Friday morning:

• Carroll said it’s doubtful that linebacker Malcolm Smith will play, which is no surprise considering he has yet to practice this week due to a groin injury he sustained against Carolina. The Seahawks have said that rookie Brock Coyle is in line to start as Smith’s injury led the team to shuffle its linebacker corps.

• Carroll said center Max Unger “is getting closer” but offered no definitive word on his status for Sunday. Unger has missed the last three games due to a foot injury and returned to practice this week, participating on a limited basis Wednesday and Thursday. “We have to wait the next day each day to see how the guy survives the day of work,” Carroll said.

• Those are just a few of the injuries the Seahawks are dealing with heading into Sunday’s game against Oakland. Cornerback Byron Maxwell missed the last two games with a calf strain and hasn’t practiced this week. A few more players showed up on the injury report Thursday, including cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Tharold Simon, center Stephen Schilling and defensive lineman Michael Bennett. Their statuses will become more clear when Carroll speaks with the media after Friday’s practice. Carroll noted how Seattle has had to rely on younger players to step up with all the injuries the team has been dealing with, which will continue to be the case against Oakland. “We’re going to go in banged up. That’s part of this time of year. Hopefully the young guys that step up will do some really good things,” he said.

• Carroll also talked about hosting the Marysville-Pilchuck High School football team at Seahawks headquarters earlier this week. You can hear the entire conversation here.