Ernest Jones IV is obviously not a doctor, but rather the defensive leader for the Seattle Seahawks football team. That said, he has enough experience in the NFL to have a good idea of who will play in an upcoming game. Jones implied on Sunday, just days before Seattle's first game of the season, that Nick Emmanwori isn't playing against the New England Patriots.
Emmanwori suffered an ankle injury early last season, aggravated the issue before the Super Bowl, and, after not getting back to full health in the offseason, the defensive back had surgery in July. He didn't participate in training camp or the preseason.
He has been limited in practice recently, but that involves things like stretching and not 11-on-11 drills, where Emmanwori needs to overdo things physically. There is no indication that he will play against the Patriots on Wednesday, and Jones appeared to confirm that the DB won't be available.
Ernest Jones IV implies that Nick Emmanwori won't play for the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1
Jones told the media, "(Emmanwori is) a definite big part of our defense, and when we get him back, we can't wait to get him back. But for right now, we’re focused on who's out there, who’s available right now. We know that when his time comes, he’s an alien. He can do whatever."
The linebacker certainly implies, by things like "we're focused on who's available" and "when we get him back," that Emanwori isn't going to be ready in Week 1. At this rate, based on his lack of full participation in practice yet, the second-year player doesn't seem like he will be ready by Week 2, either. He could be, mind you, but he still appears a ways off.
The Seattle Seahawks are definitely struggling with injuries in the secondary. Rookie Bud Clark was lost for the season after breaking his ankle in the preseason. Fellow safety Ty Okada, who is expected to start this season, missed practice on Sunday with a hamstring issue.
The team also obviously won't have cornerback Riq Woolen, who left in free agency and signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. According to various reports, Woolen has had an outstanding preseason. Seattle could have used his services, even if he does tend to be mercurial.
Likely without Nick Emmanwori in Week 1, head coach Mike Macdonald might be forced to be a bit less creative in his alignments. Thankfully, he is such a good defensive coach, and many of the players have been in his system for two seasons already, that the defense should be fine. Emmanwori makes the group elite, though.
It is better to have a healthy Emmanwori once he returns than a player who is 80-90 percent and could further aggravate his ongoing ankle injury. Having the defensive back midway through the season is better than having him in Week 1. Based on what Ernesto Jones IV said on Sunday, Seattle isn't going to have Emmanwori versus the Patriots.
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