INDIANAPOLIS— Seahawks coach Pete Carroll met with the media at the NFL scouting combine Thursday and provided some health updates on his team.
Cornerback Richard Sherman, whose season ended early due to a ruptured Achilles, recently had a minor procedure on his other leg, but is still on track to be ready for training camp, Carroll said.
"I saw Richard last week, maybe it was this week Monday or something," Carroll said. "He is doing well. He just had his second surgery on the other side, which was a much more minor surgery, just cleanup, but also in his Achilles. Very positive, he's had a seemingly great process up until now. It's a bit of a setback for a couple of weeks now because he is in the boot on the other foot, but he is not slowing down he is working like crazy. He is having a fantastic offseason, his mentality is good. He's competing like crazy right now."
The prognosis continues to be less clear on two other defensive starters, safety Kam Chancellor and defensive end Cliff Avril, both of whom finished the season on injured reserve because of neck injuries.
"Those guys are still in process, and we are waiting for the word where they have their stations along the way where they check in with the docs and all that," Carroll said. "I'm really holding out hope that things work out."
Asked if the Seahawks were planning on being without those two this season, Carroll said, "No, not planning that."
The status of Seattle's top pick in last year's draft, Malik McDowell, is also unknown. McDowell, a second-round pick out of Michigan State, missed last season after being injured in a vehicular accident during the offseason.
"Nothing new," Carroll said. "Same kind of thing. He's got a process he is going through, we get information rarely in his case, but there will be a time when you will hear more. Don't have much for you now, sorry.''
Tackle George Fant, who sustained a season-ending knee injury in the preseason, is "having a great offseason," Carroll said.
"I'm seeing him almost every day as he runs through the building working out," Carroll said. "He's really excited about it, and we'll see how far he can take it. George was just on the rise and just coming and he had a tremendous start to last season, and we were really excited about him."
Asked if Fant could be ready for training camp, Carroll said, "There's a chance for that. That's what he's shooting for. Because his injury happened early in the year, he has a chance. Some guys get that late in the year, and those couple of months are a big difference, because those last couple of months of the rehab are really important. We won't rush him at all. He's got a great future ahead of him and we're excited about his development and all of that. His mentality is great. So we'll see what happens, but I know he's holding out for that."
Even if Fant can't make it for the start of camp, Carroll said he is "absolutely" in the team's 2018 plans.
Carroll also confirmed that running back Chris Carson will be ready for training camp after finishing last season on injured reserve with a leg injury.
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FILE - In this Sept. 3, 2016, file photo, Washington's Azeem Victor reacts to a play against Rutgers in the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Seattle. In the midst of being the starting middle linebacker for the No. 4 team in the country, Azeem Victor is trying to do more. Victor's goals go beyond what he's doing on the field for Washington and what he's doing in getting his education. In Victor's case, doing more means starting a foundation while a college student and football player. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
FILE - In this Sept. 24, 2016, file photo, Washington offensive center Coleman Shelton (79) gestures during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona, in Tucson, Ariz. Shelton was selected to the 2017 AP All-Conference Pac-12 team announced Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Washington Huskies wide receiver Dante Pettis (8) in the first half of an NCAA college football game late Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Washington tight end Will Dissly scores a touchdown against Montana in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington's Keishawn Bierria in action against UCLA in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Washington running back Lavon Coleman runs in for a touchdown against Oregon in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington defensive lineman Vita Vea, stands on the field during an NCAA college football game against Oregon, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington State offensive lineman Cole Madison (61) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Washington State defensive lineman Hercules Mata'afa (50) lines up for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Oregon State in Pullman, Wash., Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Washington State wide receiver Tavares Martin Jr. (8) in the second half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz. Arizona defeated Washington State 58-37. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Washington State quarterback Luke Falk (4) passes the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Colorado in Pullman, Wash., Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
