The Sports Xchange

RENTON, Wash — The Seattle Seahawks did not allow a sack of quarterback Russell Wilson on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys for the first time since Super Bowl XLVIII at the end of the 2013 season.

Wilson has been sacked a league-high 31 times through eight weeks despite the clean sheet by the offensive line on Sunday. However, it was a positive step forward for a group that has been maligned all season for its struggles.

“We protected the quarterback today,” Carroll said. “We legitimately did it. Russell was able to stand in there and do his thing.”

Even without starting left tackle Russell Okung, the Seahawks managed to keep Wilson upright most of the afternoon. Alvin Bailey started in place of Okung and didn’t have any egregious errors in blocking Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy.

Bailey was unable to execute a cut block on Hardy that enabled him to tip a Wilson pass for an interception late in the third quarter. Hardy also managed three quarterback hits on Wilson, but Bailey held up well in his first start of the season.

Carroll said he thought it was the best performances of the season from guards Justin Britt and J.R. Sweezy as well.

“I really liked the way they were in control of their pass sets,” Carroll said. “They were the most consistent and most poised (they’ve been). I thought both those guys did a very good job for us.”

NOTES: Tight end Luke Willson (ankle) was injured on Seattle’s final offensive possession. Coach Pete Carroll said Willson is the only player that might not be able to practice when they return from their bye week next Monday. … Center Drew Nowak (ankle) was briefly replaced against Dallas by Lemuel Jeanpierre against the Cowboys, but returned to the lineup and finished the game. … Wide receiver Chris Matthews (ankle) was injured late in the game, but Carroll said he is fine. … Defensive end Cliff Avril (ankle) also left the game against Dallas but is expected to be OK. … Cornerback Jeremy Lane (knee/arm) is expected to return to practice when the Seahawks get back to work after their bye week. Lane has been on the PUP list after tearing an ACL and breaking an arm in the Super Bowl. He can practice for up to 21 days once he returns to practice before needing to be added to the active roster no later than Nov. 24. … Wide receiver Paul Richardson (knee) is back to full speed after practicing all last week. He was not activated from PUP prior to the game against Dallas but could fill the roster spot being vacated by Ricardo Lockette’s move to injured reserve. … Left tackle Russell Okung (ankle) was inactive for the Dallas game but was close to be able to play after being injured in practice. He is expected to be back to practice next week.