Nick Emmanwori was listed as questionable ahead of Week 1's showdown versus the New England Patriots, as the Seattle Seahawks defensive back has been recovering from ankle surgery in July. In the hours leading up to the game, Seattle signed AJ Finley to the active roster and elevated Rodney Thomas from the practice squad.
As Ty Okada has already been ruled out of the game due to a hamstring injury, maybe Finley and Thomas are just additions Seattle would make anyway, but that is more a hope that Emmanwori will play than a reality. What is being implied is that 12s should expect the versatile second-year player to not be available against the Patriots.
If Emmanwori and Okada are both inactive, which seems likely, then the Seahawks' safety group will consist of Julian Love and then a lot of prayers and good tidings. Finley didn't play in 2025 while injured, and Thomas didn't start the last two seasons for the Indianapolis Colts after being a full-time starter in the two years prior.
Nick Emmanwori seems unlikely to play for the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1
Maybe Emmanwori still plays, but the Seattle Seahawks didn't just make one move at safety, but two. Seattle also, interestingly, elevated running back Velus Jones Jr., but to make room for him, the team waived guard Bryce Cabeldue. Does that mean Seattle is unsure about George Holani or Emanuel Wilson backing up presumed starter Jadarian Price, or maybe Jones is just insurance?
The assumption is that the team feels secure it can re-sign Cabeldue to the practice squad as he has managed to hang around the roster, but not impactful enough for another team to scoop him up quickly.
All of that aside, the main concern is the safety position, and the secondary overall. Nick Emmanwori allows head coach Mike Macdonald to disguise his defenses, as Emmanwori can line up wherever Macdonald needs him to and likely do a brilliant job.'The additions of Finley and Thomas might be fine against the Patriots, but they diminish the potential creativity of the defense.
If the Seattle Seahawks are going to beat the Patriots to begin the season, it is likely with a more traditional defensive alignment. Maybe the defensive line can dominate New England to get the victory.
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