Seahawks missing key starters vs. Rams

Kyle Fuller is drawing quite the task for his first start since 2017 as he steps into the middle of the Seattle Seahawks offensive line.

Fuller is expected to start at center Sunday when the Seahawks face Aaron Donald and the Los Angeles Rams.

Seattle ruled out center Ethan Pocic due to a concussion Friday. Coach Pete Carroll said Pocic reported symptoms coming out of last week’s game at Buffalo and was placed in the concussion protocol. He was not cleared in time to practice this week.

Fuller started two games with Houston during his rookie season but hasn’t appeared in a game since 2018 other than on special teams.

“He’s played quite a bit of football now in the league and so we’ve seen him for years,” Carroll said Friday. “He’s ready to go, and he’s been right there at the edge of getting in and playing.”

Pocic is one of four players the Seahawks ruled out for the matchup against the Rams. But there are several others not expected to play, especially with Seattle having a short week and a Thursday game against Arizona.

Cornerback Shaquill Griffin (hamstring) will miss his third straight game and defensive tackle Bryan Mone (ankle) is expected to miss several weeks.

Also ruled out is cornerback Quinton Dunbar, who was pulled last week against Buffalo due to a knee problem.

HORNUNG DIES: Paul Hornung, the dazzling “Golden Boy” of the Green Bay Packers whose singular ability to generate points as a runner, receiver, quarterback and kicker helped turn the team into an NFL dynasty, died Friday. He was 84.

Hornung’s family confirmed his death to the Louisville Sports Commission and to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

In July 2016, Hornung sued equipment manufacturer Riddell Inc., saying football helmets he wore during his professional career failed to protect him from brain injury. Hornung suffered multiple concussions with the Packers and had been diagnosed with dementia, the lawsuit said.

Hornung won the 1956 Heisman Trophy at Notre Dame. He was the NFL MVP in 1961 and played on four championship teams (1961, ’62, ’65 and ’66).

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.

Hornung and another of the league’s top stars, Detroit’s Alex Karras, were suspended for 1963 by Commissioner Pete Rozelle for betting on NFL games and associating with undesirable persons. They returned to the NFL the next year.

Hornung won the Heisman as a quarterback, but he switched to halfback in the pros and was one of the NFL’s most dynamic players in Green Bay.