Seahawks Sunday roundup: Training camp and DeShawn Shead

The Seahawks began training camp last week and brought back DeShawn Shead. Here is some of the Seattle news from the past seven days.

It is almost official football season, Seahawks fans. The first preseason game of 2019 is on August 8th. Last week, Seattle began training camp and started the process of figuring out who will make the 53-man roster and who will not. Plus, Seattle signed a familiar face.

Training camp

There are, of course, a lot of story lines for training camp. Who will make the team as a receiver? Which running back will be trusted enough to be the third back behind starter Chris Carson and backup Rashaad Penny? And who will backup Russell Wilson.

One thing we learned this week is that quarterback Geno Smith can actually throw the ball deep and accurately. He is in a battle for the backup spot with Paxton Lynch. If the roster were to be set today, Smith should be the backup. Lynch has been inaccurate and Smith looks much more polished. Taking a gamble on Lynch to backup Wilson would prove unwise for the Seahawks.

As far as the receivers go, D.K. Metcalf has looked really good. He should, though. There was no contact through the first two practices so Metcalf was free to roam. Still, he flashed great speed and was open deep several times. In 2019, he is expected to be a deep threat for Wilson, if nothing else. He appears to be ready for that.

Bobby Wagner signs an extension

In a surprise to no one, Seattle agreed to an extension with All-Pro and future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner. The deal is for three years and $54 million with $40.2 million of that being guaranteed. Wagner showed up to practice but did not participate while working on his deal. He was working as his own agent.

Seattle signs DeShawn Shead for cornerback depth

Shead played with Seattle from 2012 through 2017. At the end of his time with the Seahawks he had developed into a starter. Then he tore his ACL in a 2016 playoff game against the Falcons and missed nearly all of 2017. In 2018, he signed with the Lions and started two games.

Shead isn’t expected to be a starter in Seattle as the team already has Tre Flowers and Shaquill Griffin. But Shead is familiar with the Seahawks system and will provide proven and quality depth.

Seattle also signed undrafted rookie Jawuan Johnson, a linebacker out of TCU. Johnson will have a chance to be a special teams performer. To make room for Johnson and Shead, Seattle waived Caleb Scott and placed Emmanuel Ellerbee on injured reserve.