The Seattle Seahawks have a few practices left before 12s get to see the team in action against another team as Seattle plays its first preseason game of 2023 against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday at Lumen Field. Most of the starters for Seattle probably won't play long, if at all, against the Vikings, however. There's no real need for that.
Plus, the Seahawks coaching staff could rightfully be a bit shy to put key players on the field against Minnesota in what is a meaningless game. The team has already been dealing with injury concerns. Risking important players to bad injuries before Week 1 just seems not that smart.
Seattle also basically knows what they need to know from watching practice and Seattle's mock game last week. The Vikings game will be a good chance for guys trying to make the roster to show what they can do. But here are a few notes from Sunday.
Seahawks had two former greats in camp to help with coaching
One of the great things Pete Carroll has always welcomes is having former Seahawks come to practice and not just watch but actively participate in the coaching of the current group. Richard Sherman has been in camp many times and there is little doubt that he helped Tariq Woolen become the player he was last year. Sherman is a big corner as is Woolen, so Sherman knows better than anyone how to teach Woolen.
Michael Bennett here today helping coach the DLs a little. pic.twitter.com/Aebczcidgg
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) August 6, 2023
On Sunday, former defensive linemen Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril, who remain friends off the field still, were in camp to help lead the defensive linemen in drills. Bennett is once again part of Seattle's preseason broadcasts and, of course, is in the Seattle area because Minnesota plays the Seahawks at Lumen Field on Thursday. Avril lives in the area year-round.
Head coach Pete Carroll said after practice that "it was great to have (Bennett and Avril) in meetings and with the defense....It doesn't feel like a distraction, it feels like they're supposed to be here." Having former Seattle players in camp also just feels like one great group passing their knowledge to a potentially great group and few teams in the NFL do that as well as the Carroll-led Seahawks.
Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen returns to practice
Woolen suffered a knee injury in minicamp in late May. He seemed to trip and misstep on the field and then he had some minor surgery to fix the problem. At the time, the Seahawks were saying they expected Woolen to be back by the start of training camp. That obviously didn't happen, however, so any fears 12s might have had about how quickly the Pro Bowl cornerback would be back might have grown.
Until Sunday, Woolen had not practiced in on-field drills and he began training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list. But being on PUP in training camp and the preseason doesn't mean a player has to miss a certain amount of time. Woolen could have returned at any point and thankfully, he came back Sunday and practiced in pads, albeit in limited fashion. Woolen didn't take part in seven-on-seven drills for instance.
There is a very good chance that Woolen doesn't play against the Vikings on Thursday - I mean, if I was in charge of who plays I wouldn't have Woolen on the field because he knows the defense already and will get in enough practice time before Week 1 where missing a preseason game means nothing - and it is questionable if Woolen plays in any of the preseason games. But his returning to practice will be interesting simply to see what happens with other plays.
We know that Woolen is going to start at one outside corner spot, but we aren't completely sure who will be opposite him. We know that Seattle has a lot of depth, however, and that's a great thing. And that depth will likely be needed during the season.
Seahawks free agent acquisition Dre'Mont Jones hurts his toe
Near the end of practice on Sunday, Jones banged his foot on the ground and hurt his toe. After practice, Carroll said "I don’t know the extent of it at this point." And that he was "just wishful, hopeful optimism there" that Jones would not be out too long. Jones was able to walk off the field under his own power after a few minutes so at least that is a good sign.
Jones was signed this offseason to a three-year deal worth $51,530,000. This is so far the most money general manager John Schneider has spent on bringing a player to Seattle from another team. Jones has shown he is capable of pressuring quarterbacks and is solid against the run. He is an important part of what Seattle wants to do with its defensive line this season. The extent of Jones' injury is not yet known.
In other injury news, running back Kenny McIntosh, who hurt his knee in the mock game last week, will only be out for a couple of weeks, it seems. McIntosh had been one of Seattle's presumed key running backs not to be hurt so far this training camp. He'd also been having a great camp so far, so hopefully, when he returns he can get right back to where he was.
Darrell Taylor was on the practice field but his arm was no longer in a sling. He wasn't participating in drills, but at least no sling is a positive sign. Carroll said after practice that two other hurt Seahawks, Jamal Adams and Jordyn Brooks, appear to be getting closer to being back, but still set no timelines on when either may return.