RENTON, Wash. — DK Metcalf will miss his second consecutive game due to a knee sprain that will sideline the Seahawks' top wide receiver for consecutive games for the first time in his career.

Metcalf was ruled out by the Seahawks on the injury report released Friday. There was optimism midweek that Metcalf would be able to return for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams, but some of that hope waned when he was unable to practice Thursday.

"We've been talking about it for the whole time now, but he just needs more time," coach Mike Macdonald said after Friday's practice. "It's nothing that he could have done differently. We just need more time for him. That is what's best for him and the team."

Metcalf appeared in every game of his career until Week 7 of last season when he was inactive for a victory over Arizona due to hip and rib injuries. But the sprained MCL in his right knee suffered two weeks ago has lingered and now will keep Metcalf sidelined until after Seattle's bye.

Macdonald said the hope is that Metcalf will be ready by the Nov. 17 game at San Francisco.

"We said week to week from the get go. I think that's where we're at, at this point," Macdonald said.

Metcalf was listed as doubtful for last week's game against Buffalo and was a spectator to the frustrating performance in the Seahawks' 31-10 loss, in which it was obvious they missed his production and presence. Without Metcalf on the field, Buffalo's secondary appeared unconcerned about getting beat over the top and was aggressive defending Seattle's passing game.

Quarterback Geno Smith threw for 209 yards, had a season-low passer rating of 78.5 and didn't have a completion longer than a 20-yard pass to rookie tight end AJ Barner. Jaxon Smith-Njigba had six catches for 69 yards, but three other Seahawks wide receivers — Tyler Lockett, Jake Bobo and Laviska Shenault — combined for three catches for 34 yards and were targeted a total of five times.

Making up for Metcalf's absence won't be easy against the Rams, who despite having just 14 sacks this season have been disruptive in getting pressure on the quarterback. But Macdonald believed a second week of preparation without Metcalf could make the passing game function a little better.

"Just having an extra week, kind of like when you have just at any position group, if you're able to have some consistency, being able to bank some of those reps, how we're going to game plan it, that sort of thing," Macdonald said. "It was still one of those deals where we still weren't sure throughout the week. So now that it's clear how we're going to operate, that's why we decided to just list him out right now."

Seattle also ruled out tight end Noah Fant due to a groin injury and backup nose tackle Cameron Young (knee). Linebacker Ernest Jones IV was questionable due to a neck issue.

Fant was injured during practice Wednesday and is not expected to be available for a few weeks, although Macdonald indicated a stint on injured reserve isn't expected.

"It's going to be some time. We don't anticipate him being on IR, but we're unsure of his availability after the bye right now," Macdonald said.

Fant has 27 receptions this season and since Week 3 has 24 catches on 25 targets from Smith. Fant had 32 catches in 17 games last season, but now the Seahawks will lean more on Barner, Pharaoh Brown and Brady Russell at the position.

George Fant ready to go, but decision awaits

Macdonald was coy while discussing the right-tackle position for Sunday's game and whether George Fant will be activated off injured reserve. Fant hasn't played since Week 1 against Denver due to a knee injury but went through a full week of practice. He was not listed with an injury designation on the final injury report.

"If he's going to play, we'll make the transaction (Saturday)," Macdonald said.

Rookie Mike Jerrell has started the past two games at the position, and the Seahawks hope Abraham Lucas will be available after the bye week.

"I don't want to say on schedule, because really the schedule is keep progressing and then we'll make a decision after the bye on where we're at," Macdonald said of Lucas. "So he's gaining confidence, working hard, getting comfortable at being uncomfortable to a certain extent, and that's where we're at right now."

Bradford starts at right guard

Anthony Bradford will start at right guard Sunday, and it seems the rotation with rookie Christian Haynes is over for now.

Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said Thursday that part of the decision on going with Bradford was to help center Connor Williams know who was going to be lined up next to him.

"I feel like AB's really taking a step in the right direction. It's not against anything Christian is doing, but it will give us some consistency, hopefully, throughout the course of the game," Macdonald said.

Wait and see on cornerback

The question about who the Seahawks' third cornerback will be with Riq Woolen and Devon Witherspoon will wait for a final answer until Sunday. Josh Jobe and Tre Brown were in an open competition this week.

Brown has been out because of an ankle injury. Jobe played 51 snaps last week and had the first interception of his career.

"Both guys are looking good, stacking good practices. The cool part is you got two guys that can really help us on Sunday," Macdonald said. "So we'll see who's out there to begin the game."

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