The Seattle Seahawks will be without a key defensive contributor for Super Bowl LX. The NFL announced on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, that linebacker Derick Hall's one-game suspension has been upheld following an unsuccessful appeal. The suspension stems from an act of unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct during the NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams.
The league determined that Hall stepped on Rams offensive guard Kevin Dotson while Dotson was on the ground, a violation of player safety rules. The suspension was initially issued earlier in the week, and Hall's appeal was heard and denied on January 28.
Hall's absence creates a significant challenge for the Seahawks' defensive front seven. A versatile pass rusher and run defender, Hall's snaps will likely be absorbed by a combination of Boye Mafe, Uchenna Nwosu, and others. Head coach Mike Macdonald must now adjust his defensive game plan for the Patriots without one of his rotational edge players.