The Seattle Seahawks received an injury scare on Wednesday when rookie Nick Emmanwori was injured near the end of practice. After being consoled by teammates, he was able to walk off under his own power. A video posted later on social media after he arrived back at the team hotel was more iffy.
The rookie didn't have a walking boot on, but he had a noticeable limp. That he was walking was a good sign, but good enough to play in an NFL game? Maybe not.
The good news is that ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter tweeted on Thursday that head coach Mike Macdonald said Emmanwori suffered a "low-ankle sprain" but the team is "confident" that the defensive back will play against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
Seattle Seahawks rookie Nick Emmanwori appears go to go for Super Bowl LX after injury scare
In even better news, Emmanwori was made available to the media on Thursday, always a good sign that a player will be able to participate in the next game, and the rookie answered several questions about his availability against the Patriots the same way. That is, he will be playing, and there is no doubt to the contrary.
Moreover, Emmanwori said that he would be playing if Sunday were just another game. In other words, he isn't trying to play while hurt simply because the next game is the title game. He could play at any point in the season.
The defensive back also said the medical training staff has a plan on how to prepare him for the game. He said his ankle wasn't sore when he woke up on Thursday. That doesn't mean he will practice (though he might), and if he doesn't, one can assume reports might provide some hyperbole about the rookie being injured.
That doesn't appear to be the case for a player who is key to the success of the Seattle Seahawks' defense. Nick Emmanwori can line up anywhere but along the defensive line in Mike Macdonald's scheme, and the defensive back's effectiveness allows Macdonald to disguise his schemes even better.
After a scary point in Wednesday's practice, the Seahawks stellar rookie appears good to go for Super Bowl 60. That is based on media reports, head coach Mike Macdonald, and Nick Emmanwori himself.