Seattle Seahawks edge rusher Derick Hall is expected to appeal the NFL’s one-game discipline that was handed down Friday, December 19, according to ESPN, a move that could quickly determine whether Seattle has him for its Week 17 trip to face the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, December 28.
The discipline itself was already the headline on December 19. The appeal is the new development. and it’s the part that can still change the outcome.
Seahawks Defender “Absolutely” Expected to Appeal, per ESPN
ESPN reported a source said Hall “absolutely” plans to appeal, which is a meaningful step because it starts a process that can overturn or reduce the league’s punishment.
There’s also a hard calendar crunch: ESPN noted that if the discipline is upheld, Hall would be eligible to return to the Seahawks’ active roster on Monday, December 29, the day after Seattle plays Carolina.
That’s why this appeal matters beyond headlines. It’s not just about a check being lost. It’s about whether the Seahawks have a rotational edge rusher available for a road game that could carry major postseason implications.
How the NFL Appeal Process Works (and Who Decides)
If Hall proceeds, the appeal is not decided by the Seahawks, not by the Rams, and not by a team-friendly arbitrator.
The NFL’s own football-operations explanation says appeals of on-field player discipline are assigned randomly to one of the league’s current appeals officers — former players Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster or Jordy Nelson — who are jointly appointed and paid by the NFL and NFLPA.
The hearing officer reviews the play, hears the league’s case and the player’s defense, and then makes a ruling that the league describes as final and binding.
In other words, once the appeal is heard, there’s typically no second bite at the apple. The decision becomes the decision, and Seattle will have to pivot accordingly.
What the Appeal Could Change for Seattle vs. Carolina
From Seattle’s perspective, the simplest win is a ruling that allows Hall to remain available for Week 17.
Hall isn’t the Seahawks’ entire pass rush, but he’s not a fringe inactive either. Hall has appeared in 13 games this season with three starts, totaling 29 tackles and one sack. He also had a larger impact last season, posting eight sacks.
If the appeal fails and the punishment stands, it forces Seattle to adjust its edge rotation on short notice, and that can ripple into snap distribution, pressure packages, and special teams roles, depending on how the Seahawks choose to patch the hole.
And if the appeal succeeds, the Seahawks get a clean path to keep their rotation intact heading into a critical late-season stretch.
What to Watch Next
If you’re tracking this like a Seahawks fan (or like a coach building a weekly plan), the next “tell” is straightforward:
- When the appeal hearing is scheduled (the league can move quickly in-season)
- Any public comment from Hall or coach Mike Macdonald that hints at confidence, or caution
- Seattle’s late-week roster planning, because teams often practice their “Plan B” even if they expect a favorable outcome
The league made its initial call Friday, but the real answer Seahawks fans want is still pending, what the appeal officer rules, and whether Hall’s Week 17 status changes before kickoff in Carolina.
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