Seattle Seahawks’ Kelcie McCray ready for possible 1st start against Browns

RENTON, Wash. – After four years in the NFL and four different teams, Kelcie McCray may finally get the chance to start a game this Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.

McCray took over for an injured Kam Chancellor in last week’s 35-6 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. With Chancellor unable to practice all week due to a bruised tailbone, McCray would get the starting nod at strong safety if Chancellor can’t play against the Browns. Chancellor is listed as questionable.

“It means a lot to me,” McCray said. “It definitely feels good knowing that the coaches and my teammates have faith in me to go out there and get the job done. It’s exciting and I’m excited to get out there.”

Chancellor played just nine defensive snaps for Seattle last week before leaving the game due to the injury. McCray stepped in and played the final 49 defensive plays.

“He played right. He was in the right spots. He saw things correctly. He fit in the running game and passing game really well. He played fast and he tackled well when he had his chances,” head coach Pete Carroll said.

“He was two plays from having a phenomenal game. … He did a very good job for us. He did well on the deep end in the middle, too. We didn’t have to change anything. We didn’t adjust anything. We just played with him and as we saw him. That really gives us a lot of confidence going into this week in case Kam can’t play.”

McCray finished with three tackles against the Ravens and didn’t appear to have any major issues in his first extended playing time with the Seahawks.

“I didn’t play a perfect game. I didn’t make any major mistakes. It’s just small little details that I’ve got to get better at that I feel like comes with experience,” McCray said.

McCray, an undrafted free agent out of Arkansas State in 2012, was acquired in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs at the end of the preseason. He’s been limited primarily to special teams duty since joining Seattle, with last week’s game in Baltimore being his first real action on defense.

“He had great range, really good speed, and he played really good in space,” defensive coordinator Kris Richard said of what intrigued them about McCray in Kansas City. “Those are all attributes that we’re looking for in regards to a safety. And the simple fact that when he puts his body on people, he tackles really well, they go down.”

Notes: RB Marshawn Lynch (abdomen), TE Anthony McCoy (ankle/knee) and DT Jordan Hill (toe) have all officially been ruled out. … CB DeShawn Shead (ankle) is listed as questionable but Carroll said Shead would play on Sunday.