There weren’t many bright spots in the Seattle Seahawks 30-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, but rookie safety Marquise Blair was one of them.

Blair filled in for veteran Bradley McDougald, who was inactive with back spasms, as well as Lano Hill who is expected to miss a few weeks with an elbow injury.

Blair ended up playing every defensive snap alongside Tedric Thompson, and coach Pete Carroll heaped praise on the rookie’s performance in his first full-time role.

“I thought Marquise did a really good job,” Carroll said on Monday. “I thought he was active, physical, covered well, made a couple things happen that were real positive. I liked his play.”

Blair finished the game with seven combined tackles (six on defense and one on special teams) along with a pass defended on a crucial third down play.

Even though McDougald could return this week, Carroll made it clear Blair’s performance on Sunday earned him the right to play more going forward.

“He’s going to play some more,” Carroll continued. “I’ll say it that way for right now. I’m fired up about him.”

This could be a not-so-good sign for Thompson, who has not lived up to expectations so far this season, even after recording interceptions in back-to-back games in weeks five and six.

Blair has been practicing at both strong and free safety for Seattle, although Carroll prefers him at the free safety spot – making him a natural starting partner alongside McDougald.

If McDougald is healthy next week, don’t be surprised to see him joined by the rookie Blair in the starting lineup when the team travels to Atlanta to face the Falcons on Sunday morning.