Seattle news: Rams sack leader injured ahead of NFC title game, accidental victim of late-night downtown shooting, and ferry service restored after collision with a log.
Intrigue before the NFC title game: Rams' sack leader questionable but preparing to play
Ahead of the decisive game to determine who advances to the Super Bowl from the National Football Conference (NFC), the main storyline is the physical readiness of a key Los Angeles Rams defensive player. Byron Young, the team's sack leader, was officially listed as questionable to play due to a knee injury. However, ESPN, citing head coach Sean McVay, reports that the star pass rusher is expected to take the field against the Seattle Seahawks. This report, published by Seattle Sports, sets the tone for tense preparations for the championship matchup.
Young, who recorded 12.0 sacks in the regular season and tied for eighth in the league in that category, was under close scrutiny all week. He missed Wednesday and Thursday practices but was able to participate in a limited capacity on Friday, allowing the coaching staff to express cautious optimism. In the NFL, the “questionable” designation officially means there’s roughly a 50/50 chance the player will play, but coaches’ statements often clarify the real situation. For the Seahawks, Young’s presence on the field is a critical factor: his pressure on the quarterback can destabilize the opponent’s offensive schemes. At the same time, even if he plays, the injury may limit his effectiveness, which would be a slight advantage for Seattle’s offensive line.
While the Rams hope for their top pass rusher, they will definitely be without another important player. Veteran right tackle Rob Havenstein was ruled out of the game with an ankle injury. His absence is a serious blow to the Rams’ offensive line, especially considering he started seven games at the position earlier this season. Havenstein was injured in Week 11 against the same Seahawks and has been on the injured list since. His experience and skill in protecting the quarterback will be missed against Seattle’s pass rushers. For readers unfamiliar with the positions: the offensive line protects the quarterback, and a tackle is one of the key positions on that line. Losing such a player can make the Rams’ passing game more vulnerable.
The rest of the Rams’ roster, according to the report, enters the game in good shape. No other player among the 53-man active roster received a game-day designation, indicating full readiness. In particular, cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr., who previously had shoulder issues, practiced fully on Friday. That bolsters the Rams’ secondary against the Seahawks’ passing attack. The game, kicking off Sunday at 3:30 p.m. local time, will be the season’s culmination for both teams. Radio coverage begins at noon on Seattle Sports 710 AM and KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM. The outcome will determine which of these storied rivals gets a shot at football’s top prize in the Super Bowl.
Downtown Seattle shooting: 19-year-old woman injured after late-night event
Late on a weekend night, downtown Seattle was again the scene of a shooting that left a young woman injured. The incident occurred in the Belltown neighborhood, one of the city’s busy districts, and raised renewed concerns about public safety late at night.
According to a report on komonews.com, Seattle police are investigating a shooting that occurred around 11:37 p.m. near the intersection of 3rd Avenue and Wall Street. Authorities and firefighters were dispatched following reports of possible victims. Upon arrival, emergency responders found a 19-year-old woman with a serious gunshot wound. Seattle Fire Department medics transported her immediately to Harborview Medical Center, where, according to police on Saturday, she remains in critical condition.
Preliminary investigation indicates the shooting resulted from an altercation after an event concluded in a building in the 2500 block of 3rd Avenue. An unknown suspect fired multiple shots in the direction of the venue, with bullets striking the building. The shooter then fled the scene. Investigators note an important detail: the 19-year-old victim was likely not the intended target. This suggests her injury may have been accidental in the course of street gunfire or aimed fire toward a crowd. No arrests have been made so far, and the circumstances are under investigation.
Police ask anyone with information to contact the Violent Crimes Unit at (206) 233-5000 (case number: 26-22555). This incident refocuses attention on street violence and firearm accessibility. Belltown, known for its many bars, restaurants, and apartments, periodically becomes the site of similar incidents, especially during closing hours when large numbers gather on the streets. The fact that the victim appears to have been a bystander underscores the potential danger to all residents. Treatment at a specialized center like Harborview, which receives the most seriously injured trauma patients, indicates the severity of the wounds. The investigation continues, and its outcome will determine whether motives are identified and the shooter apprehended.
Ferry Wenatchee returns to service after collision with a log
The restoration of regular service on the vital Seattle–Bainbridge ferry route was welcome news for thousands of passengers affected by disruptions. After an incident Wednesday morning when the ferry Wenatchee struck a log during transit, the vessel was urgently sent for repairs. Washington State Ferries (WSF) reports that the ferry returned to service as Boat 1, departing Bainbridge for Seattle at 2:10 p.m., which allowed the route to fully restore capacity and resume two-boat operations.
The collision damaged a propeller, requiring specialized tooling for repairs. Wenatchee was taken to the Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility, where the ferry Samish was already undergoing scheduled maintenance. That temporarily left the route short two vessels, causing significant inconvenience. However, as noted by king5.com, Wenatchee’s return to service coincided with the Tacoma being cleared to operate after completing its own scheduled maintenance. This double recovery enabled the prompt restoration of full two-boat service on the key route.
Wenatchee’s return is especially important amid an ongoing ferry shortage in the WSF system, which has forced the administration to adjust schedules on other routes. For example, the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route maintained a standard two-boat weekend schedule for January 24–25, with a shift to three-boat weekday service planned only for Monday, January 26, after the necessary repairs were completed. This episode illustrates how fragile a complex transportation system can be: a single incident, such as colliding with floating timber—a common occurrence in these waters—can trigger a chain reaction and complicate operations across the network. For passengers, the main takeaway was the quick mitigation and return to normal schedules, which minimized disruption.
