Live: Seahawks-Cardinals: Live updates, score, how to watch ‘Thursday Night Football’

Seahawks taking control

It might have taken a little longer than it felt like it should have but Seattle’s score at the end of the first half finally put the Seahawks in control on the scoreboard the way it feels they’ve controlled things on the field.

Zach Charbonnet’s 1-yard TD run with 1:01 left made it 14-3 at the break.

That score accurately depicts the way the Seahawks have dominated the game as the Seahawks have outgained the Cardinals 212-107, averaging 7.1 yards per play to Arizona’s 3.1, gotten two turnovers and held the Cardinals to 39 yards rushing on nine attempts.

Seattle will get the ball first to start the second half and a long scoring drive of any kind could put the Seahawks in complete control.

Walker benched after penalty

A taunting penalty on Kenneth Walker III killed the drive before the Charbonnet TD as it turned a third-and-three into a third-and-18 and Seattle was eventually forced to punt.

Maybe Charbonnet would have rotated in for Walker anyway. But it seemed telling that Charbonnet played all of the next series as Seattle drove 90 yards in seven plays to take a 14-3 lead.

Walker got the penalty for tossing the ball at Arizona cornerback Kei’Trel Clark following a 3-yard gain.

Walker had been playing well until then with 46 yards rushing on eight carries and a reception for 29 yards.

Arroyo arising

This may go down as the breakout game for rookie tight end Elijah Arroyo as he keyed the final scoring drive with a 32-yard completion on a pass down the sideline in which he outfought linebacker Josh Sweat for the ball.

He then drew a defensive pass interference penalty on Cardinals safety Budda Baker in the end zone that put the ball at the 1 and set up Charbonnet’s TD run.

That big-play ability is why Seattle drafted Arroyo 50th overall and also a reason the Seahawks felt comfortable with the receiving corps they had heading into the season.

First-quarter impressions with the Seahawks leading the Cardinals 7-3:

—Sam Darnold had an exceptional first quarter. The Seahawks QB was 5 of 6 for 78 yards and capped the first quarter with a perfectly placed 16-yard touchdown pass to AJ Barner. Darnold’s one incompletion was a throw away as the pocket collapsed and all five completions went to different receivers.

—Seattle’s red-zone defense remains exceptional. After Coby Bryant fumbled his interception back to the Cardinals and after a 15-yard facemask penalty on Riq Woolen, the Seahawks were able to hold Arizona to a 32-yard field goal. Leonard Williams contained the speedy Greg Dortch on a little push pass to start the series and drew a false-start penalty on the Cardinals that helped lead to Arizona settling for a field goal.

Entering Thursday, the Seahawks had allowed just four red-zone TDs in 10 trips by opponents this season.

Also, welcome back Uchenna Nwosu, who had his first sack late in the quarter following injuries that limited him to playing just six games last season and led to offseason knee surgery.

—After a shaky first possession, the Seahawks run game started to click on the second drive with runs of 8, 9 and 21 yards by Kenneth Walker III. On Seattle’s opening drive, offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak used a couple of short passes at the line of scrimmage with blockers in front that served as a modified run game, especially with fullback Robbie Ouzts out. But on the second drive, it was more traditional runs with Walker that started to click.

All three players the Seahawks listed as questionable on Wednesday — running back Zach Charbonnet (foot/toe), guard Anthony Bradford (back) and rush end Boye Mafe (toe) — were declared active for the game.

However, safety Nick Emmanwori, who was listed as doubtful while still dealing with a high ankle sprain suffered in the opener against the 49ers, was again inactive.

Seattle’s other inactive players also included backup tackle Josh Jones, who had been ruled out on Wednesday with an ankle injury, as well as five healthy scratches to get the roster down to the gameday max of 48 — receiver Cody White, offensive lineman Mason Richman, rush end Jared Ivey, tight end Nick Kallerup and linebacker Conner O’Toole.

The last four players are rookies who all look as if they will generally be inactive unless significant injuries hit their positions.

Charbonnet being back means he is set to return to his role as the backup running back behind Kenneth Walker III after sitting out the Saints game, while Bradford being active means he was able to again start at right guard.

Earlier in the day the Seahawks elevated undrafted rookie free agent offensive tackle Amari Kight and veteran nose tackle Brandon Pili off the practice squad.

It is the second time this year Pili has been elevated.

It was the first elevation for Kight who is the only tackle on the roster and was needed for depth purposes with Jones out with an ankle injury.

Kight is an undrafted free agent from Central Florida who played at Alabama from 2019-22.

Also again active is rookie quarterback Jalen Milroe. He was inactive for a Week 2 game at Pittsburgh but has been active for the other three. He played one snap in the opener against the 49eres and last Sunday against the Saints, each time keeping the ball on a direct snap with gains of 1 and 3 yards.

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