The Seahawks were back to work Monday following a day off, and joining the team for the 11th practice of training camp was starting quarterback Geno Smith, who had been sidelined for the previous four practices due to an injury suffered last Tuesday.
Smith moved around with no apparent limitations, running the starting offense as usual, and it was a welcome site for an offense that watched him throw the ball very well throughout his first week of camp prior to the injury.
More on Smith's return and other observations from Day 11 of Seahawks camp:
1. Geno Smith was back slinging the ball around with his usual precision.
Monday was a good day for the defense overall, though the offense also had some moments, and as was so often the case for the first week of camp, plenty of those offensive highlights came on pinpoint throws from Smith.
"Good to see Geno back out there," said receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who was on the receiving end of one of Smith's better throws of the day, a ball dropped over coverage to hit Smith-Njigba in stride for a big catch-and-run. "All offseason I've seen him pushing us. Pushing himself first and then pushing us to get to the next level, get to where we want to be and he's been the head guy, the lead at that. He's been coming out here every day, proving that he's ready and that this year is going to look a little different. We're all on board. It's good for him to get back with us and for us to get rolling again."
Macdonald called it "great" to see his starting quarterback on the field, and when asked about his time spent around Smith this spring and summer, added, Smith is, "The guy that I thought he was. Again, we're on the record with this. Just respect for who he is as a player, accuracy, operation, how he handles the guys. And our relationship is still in the works. We've known each other for five months now but we're in a good spot and we're rolling."
2. The center competition is open.
For most of camp, second-year center Olu Oluwatimi has worked with the No. 1 offense, but that job is far from settled, Macdonald said, and that was evident Monday with Nick Harris, a free-agent signing this spring, mixing in with the starting offense.
"It's open," Macdonald said. "Nick has done a nice job; he's pushing Olu. Young pups are doing a good job too. Jalen's (Sundell) doing a good job. It's open."
3. Charles Cross is "the anchor of the offensive line."
When NFL teams are selecting in the top 10 of the draft, they're hoping to not just add a starting-caliber player, but someone who can be a difference maker at his respective position. And heading into his third season, left tackle Charles Cross, the No. 9 pick in 2022, looks poised to take another step forward in what has already been a strong start to his career. Cross, Seattle's starting left tackle from the beginning of his rookie season, battled injuries last season after starting 17 games as a rookie, and now heading into Year 3, Cross looks like a player who has the potential to be a dominant force on the line. Rarely, if ever, is Cross getting beat in camp this year in one-on-one drills, and he looks in control while holding things down on the left side of the line throughout practices.
"He's the anchor of the offensive line, man," Macdonald said. "We go as Charles goes. Again, another guy that you get to know throughout the process and how he operates, just a lot of respect for how he goes about his business, he's like a silent assassin out there. I'm not some offensive line savant, but from what you see and how you evaluate practice, and how often he wins one-on-ones, and then listening to the offensive coaches, it seems like he's got some things to take his game to the next level. You want that from all your guys, like how are you going to level up, how are you going to go take your game to put yourself in the best spot to further your career and help the team?"
4. Rookie Tyrice Knight is trying to build on some good opportunities.
While Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson are expected to be Seattle's starting linebackers when the season begins, both have delt with some injuries since joining the team as free agents, which has created some opportunities for players behind them, including rookie linebacker Tyrice Knight, who on Monday got work with the starting offense alongside Dodson while Baker was out with a hamstring injury.
Between the occasional first-team reps and a session late in Saturday's practice when the defense was allowed to tackle to the ground, Knight is getting some chances to show what he can do heading into the preseason.
"It's good to see him making some tackles," Macdonald said. "We did threes (third unit) live, tackling without the quarterback on Saturday, made a few tackles which is good to see. I want to watch the tape today to see if he's taking the next steps. The challenge to him is, can he build on it everyday? We're at a time of two steps forward, one step back, and that goes for everybody. Without making judgment right now, but we didn't finish the way we needed to on defense today so that's what's burned in my mind right now."
5. Rookie running back George Holani punctuated practice with a big hit.
As Macdonald noted in his press conference Monday, there is a good competition brewing for the No. 3 running back job behind Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet. Kenny McIntosh, a 2023 draft pick, came into camp as the favorite for that spot, but he's getting a push from some young players like undrafted rookies Kobe Lewis and George Holani, and on Monday Holani stated his case in a big way late in practice. After taking a handoff and bursting through the line in a red zone drill, Holani was met in the open field by rookie cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett. Holani lowered his shoulder and knocked Pritchet to the ground, leading to offensive teammates mobbing the undrafted rookie out of Boise State in the end zone.
"That's a great example of a guy who just keeps doing it," Macdonald said. "We'll see in the preseason games, he'll have an ample opportunity to show what he can do and it's good to see him make a couple plays today."
6. A visit from some Seahawks Legends.
Following Monday's practice, Macdonald made his way over to chat with a few visitors, a group that included Seahawks Legends Kam Chancellor, Lawyer Milloy and Gary Gilliam. Macdonald noted he was a big fan of Chancellor's game, and marveled at the former Pro-Bowler's size after seeing him up close.
"It was awesome man," Macdonald said. "Just a huge fan of Kam. The person he is, his career. You see him in person, I still can't believe he played safety. It's incredible. And with Lawyer, I remember we used to watch all the America's Games (Super Bowl champion documentary), just like on repeat, and he was doing the Patriots one. I was like, 'Man this is pretty sweet, you're Lawyer Milloy.'"
The Seahawks practiced at Lumen Field as part of Football Fest on Saturday, August 3, 2024.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald at practice at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell (6) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback PJ Walker (15) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks guard McClendon Curtis (66) and tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback/safety Coby Bryant (8) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks safety K'Von Wallace (24) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback/safety Coby Bryant (8) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Carlton Johnson (37) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Myles Adams (95) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (97) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Myles Adams (95) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Easop Winston Jr. (13) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (81) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Hayden Hatten (84) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks tackle Stone Forsythe (78) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell (6) and quarterback PJ Walker (15) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks guard/tackle Sataoa Laumea (63) and tackle Max Pircher (69) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Myles Adams (95) and tackle Raiqwon O'Neal (79) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback/safety Coby Bryant (8) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) and cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) and cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback PJ Walker (15) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Jon Rhattigan (59) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Dee Eskridge (1) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
The Seahawks practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Myles Adams (95) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback/safety Coby Bryant (8) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
The Seahawks practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson (0) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (75) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks tackle George Fant (74) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell (6) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Artie Burns (23) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Devin Richardson (43) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) and linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Devin Richardson (43) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kobe Lewis (44) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kobe Lewis (44) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback PJ Walker (15) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Easop Winston Jr. (13) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
The 12s attended practice at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
The 12s attended practice at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024/
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
The 12s attended practice at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks safety K'Von Wallace (24) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Dee Eskridge (1) practiced at Lumen Field on August 3, 2024.
