One of the bigger storylines heading into Sunday's matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks is cornerback Richard Sherman's return to CenturyLink Field. It will be the first time the eight-year veteran steps foot in the stadium since the Seahawks released him on March 9 and the 49ers signed him to a three-year deal the next day.
San Francisco's season hasn't gone as planned. Injuries have decimated the roster, and the team sits at the bottom of the NFC West with its 2-9 record. Meanwhile, Sherman's former team is 6-5, having won its last two games, and faces the 49ers twice and the Arizona Cardinals (also 2-9) once over the next five weeks.
The Seahawks remain in the hunt for a playoff spot, which is surprising given the squad's offseason losses. Sherman, however, doesn't sound too impressed by Seattle's record.
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"They're 6-5," Sherman told reporters on Thursday. "It's not like they're 8-1 or 12-1. If they were that, I'd be very surprised. But kind of middle-of-the-road. They're fighting every game. They've won some close ones. They've lost some close ones. Kind of expect that."
Sherman has never been overly complimentary about the play of Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, and that hasn't changed this year. Sherman was asked about Wilson's ability to find ways to lift Seattle to wins.
"I've also seen him throw five picks in a game, so you see what he's capable of on both sides of it," Sherman responded. "You understand that he can be defended, so you go out there and give your team the best shot."
What is Sherman's relationship with Wilson like now that the two are no longer teammates?
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"I don't really have a relationship with Russell," he answered. "We were teammates. We played during a very special time for the franchise."
Sherman has proven to be a valuable member of the 49ers defense despite coming off of a ruptured Achilles suffered over a year ago. He worked his way back onto the field and had been slowed some by other injuries, forcing him to miss two games this season.
Before Sunday's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, opposing quarterbacks had been reluctant to test Sherman a lot. Does he envision Wilson and the Seahawks offense throwing his way on Sunday?
"I hope so," Sherman responded.
The 49ers and Seahawks kick off from CenturyLink Field on Sunday at 1:25 p.m. PT.