Not yet time to freak out about Seahawks CB Tariq Woolen's surgery

According to a report, Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen had surgery on his knee this week. But it's not yet time to start worrying about the injury. There are several reasons for this.

It should be noted that while the Seahawks do not owe anyone an explanation for a player not being at OTAs, the team must know that if certain players, like Woolen, aren't at camp then worry will set in. This is especially true as Seattle reportedly re-signed cornerback Artie Burns on Monday and left many questioning, "Why?" But now we know why.

Tariq Woolen, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Tuesday that will keep him out until training camp begins in July. The surgery itself might simply be a clean-up of an issue from whenever ago. But that Woolen will be out until July is a bit of a concern. Woolen is obviously a huge key to Seattle's potential defensive success this coming year, and therefore (and again, obviously) he needs to stay healthy.

Not yet time to stress about Seahawks corner Tariq Woolen's surgery

Here's the positive side of things, however. Arthroscopic surgeries are extremely common and minimally invasive that creates a tiny incision. Players sometimes have these surgeries during the season and come back in a couple of weeks. Basically, it's better for Woolen to have this surgery now than during the season.

Also, whatever the injury is, it's better than an ACL or MCL tear or an Achilles injury. These kinds of things would keep Woolen out for weeks or months. Woolen appears to have suffered a knee injury while walking out onto the practice field a week ago.

While there is a chance something happens and the injury keeps Woolen out longer than normal, the expectation is he will be fine by training camp. If so, he will have plenty of time to build rapport with rookie Devon Witherspoon who is expected to start opposite Woolen beginning in 2023 and well beyond that. Plus, it's May, so why even entertain the worst-case scenario of Woolen being out into the beginning of the regular season?