The Seahawks wrapped up their week of practice Friday, a week that included what head coach Pete Carroll called "a good week" of work from safety Earl Thomas, who returned to the team Wednesday. Whether or not that means Thomas will be on the field on Sunday, however, remains to be seen.
"He was solid all week long," Carroll said. "He's fired up and studying and working hard at it, and he had a good week. We'll let you know how that's going to turn out here (Saturday)."
Carroll referenced Saturday because that's the deadline for adding Thomas to the 53-man roster in order for him to be able to play in Seattle's season opener at Denver, something that would require a corresponding move to be made.
As for why the team is waiting another day on that decision, Carroll said, "Just want to see how he comes off the field, just do everything we can to take care of him as much as possible, make all the right choices. Just use all the time available."
While Thomas' status is still up in the air, Carroll said another key defensive player, defensive end Dion Jordan, will play Sunday. That's good news for the defensive line, and also somewhat surprising news considering Jordan only returned to action from the physically unable to perform list this week.
"He has done well, he's ready to go," Carroll said. "He's going to play in this game… We didn't know how fast he could come along once he went through the stages of the rehab. Everybody is fired up for him, he has done a marvelous job. He has had a lot of setbacks that he's had to deal with, and he's come through and he's ready to play football."
Also ready to go, as expected, is first-round pick Rashaad Penny (hand), who missed the final three preseason games following finger surgery. Penny practiced fully all week.
"He's ready to go," Carroll said. "The guys did a great job taking care of him and conditioning him throughout. He has been on call for everything he could possibly be ready for, and he has been always pushing to get out sooner and push all of the timeframes. His mentality has been great about it, so he's ready to play."
The Seahawks don't know yet if they'll have cornerback Dontae Johnson, who is dealing with a groin strain and who did not practice Thursday or Friday. If Johnson, who is listed as questionable, can't play, rookie Tre Flowers is the likely candidate to start at right cornerback.
"He has done a nice job," Carroll said of Flowers. "He started a couple of games for us already, and if that's the case, then he's ready to go."
Flowers, a fifth-round pick who played safety in college, has proven to be a quick study while learning a new position as an NFL rookie, and he got a lot of playing time in the preseason, including starts in Seattle's first two games.
"Really he has done everything we have asked him to do," Carroll said. "He has studied really hard, he has worked on the mentality that it takes to play outside. He has been really diligent, he hasn't missed a snap of play all through the preparation all through the offseason, so he has benefited from all the time. And he's a really smart player too. He's tough, physical. Really he has done everything right, so he's giving himself a great chance. It's a great accomplishment for him just to be here right now at this time playing for us throughout the preseason. So I'm fired up for him, he's ready."
Right guard D.J. Fluker won't play Sunday because of a hamstring injury, but Carroll said the free-agent addition "feels really close already, but it showed up enough that we needed to respect it and take care of it and not rush him back."
The good news for Seattle is that with Fluker out, they can still turn to an experienced starter in J.R. Sweezy.
"We're very fortunate to have Sweez with us so he can jump right in at that spot and help us out," Carroll said. "We don't feel like we're skipping a beat. They're not the same style of player, but both guys have been starting in the league for a long time, and we're very fortunate to have Sweez."
Sweezy didn't play in the preseason due to a high-ankle sprain, but practiced all week and said, "I'm ready to go. I'm back home where I belong, and it feels that way. I'm just excited… I've got a great group, we work well together, and I'm just very excited for the weekend."
The Broncos, meanwhile, have no players listed on Friday's injury report, meaning all 53 players should be available for Sunday's game.
Here's the full injury report for the Seahawks:
Out
G D.J. Fluker (hamstring, did not participate in practice)
LB K.J. Wright (knee, did not participate in practice)
Questionable
CB Dontae Johnson (groin, did not participate in practice)
The Seahawks and Broncos face off for the season opener on Sunday, September 8th at Lumen Field. Kickoff is set for 1:05p.m. PT. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the Broncos.
Jim Kiick (33) of the Denver Broncos is brought down by Terry Beeson (58) and Dave Brown (22) of the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter in Seattle, Wash., Oct. 3, 1977. Denver won 24-13. (AP Photo)
Seattle Seahawks receiver Steve Largent (80) between Denver Broncos linebackers Bob Swenson, Joe Rizzo and Randy Gradishar during first half action in Denver, Oct. 1, 1978. (AP Photo)
Seattle Seahawk running back Curt Warner leaps over a pile of players as he gains yardage against the Denver Broncos in the Kingdome at Seattle, 1983. Warner gained 99 yards on 23 carries as the Seahawks beat the Broncos 31-7. (AP Photo/Jeff Larson)
Denver's Sammy Winder (23) eludes Seattle defenders Michael Jackson (55) and Kenny Easley (45) as Winder picks up first down yardage during their game in Seattle, Dec. 15, 1984. Denver won 31-14. (AP Photo/Dave Ekren)
Denver Broncos defensive end Rulon Jones (75) tries to beat a block by Seattle Seahawks tackle Ron Essink (64) during an NFL game at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colo., Oct. 20, 1985. The Broncos defeated the Seahawks 13-10 in overtime. (AP Photo/Eric Lars Bakke)
The Denver Broncos defense tries to block a field goal attempt by the Seattle Seahawks during an NFL game in Denver, Colo., Oct. 26, 1986. The Broncos defeated the Seahawks 20-13. (AP Photo/Eric Lars Bakke)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Terry Taylor (20) defends a pass intended for Denver Broncos wide receiver Sam Graddy (83) during an NFL game, Dec. 13, 1987. The Seahawks defeated the Broncos 28-21 in the Kingdome. (AP Photo/Erik Lars Bakke)
Quarterback John Elway (7) of the Denver Broncos in unable to hold the ball as he is tackled by Rufus Porter of the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter of their NFL game, Sunday, Dec. 12, 1988, Seattle, Wash. Porter also recovered the fumble on the play. Seattle beat Denver 42-14. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)
Seattle's Louis Clark (84) brings in a pass for a seven yard gain in the fourth quarter of Sunday, Oct. 23, 1989 game against Denver in Seattle. Defending for the Broncos is Steve Atwater. Denver won in overtime 24-21. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)
Derrick Fenner (44) of the Seattle Seahawks is pulled down after a short gain by Steve Atwater (27) of the Denver Broncos during the first quarter of their NFL game in Seattle, Dec. 23, 1990. (AP Photo/Gary Stewart)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Brian Blades (89) runs upfield during an NFL game against the Denver Broncos, Sept. 15, 1991. The Broncos defeated the Seahawks 16-10 at Mile High Stadium in Denver. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Kicker John Kasay (4) of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates with teammate and holder Rick Tuten (14) after Kasay's overtime game-winning field goal in Seattle, Dec. 1, 1992. The Seahaeks won against the Denver Broncos 16-13. (AP Photo/Bill Chan)
Seattle Seahawks running back Jon Vaughn (22) returns a kick during an NFL game against the Denver Broncos, Oct. 31, 1993. The Broncos defeated the Seahawks 28-17 at Mile High Stadium. (AP Photo/Eric Lars Bakke)
Denver Broncos Shannon Sharpe (84) comes down with a John Elway pass after being hit by Seattle Seahawks' Carlton Gray (26) in the first quarter of the game in Seattle on Oct. 1, 1995. The pass was complete for a seven-yard gain. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)
Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis, right, is pulled down from the side by Seattle Seahawks Darryl Williams in the second quarter of the Broncos' 34-7 victory in Denver's Mile High Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 1, 1996. (AP Photo/Bryan Kelsen)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Derrick Mayes (87) pulls in a pass in front of Denver Broncos linebacker Al Wilson (56) in the first quarter in Denver's Mile High Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 19, 1999. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Seattle Seahawks safety Jay Bellamy (20) during the first quarter at Mile High Stadium in Denver on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2000. (AP Photo/Kevin Higley)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander (37) heads past Denver Broncos' Lee Woodall for a second-quarter touchdown run Sunday, Oct. 14, 2001, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Denver Broncos' Mike Anderson escapes Seattle Seahawks' Ken Lucas to score the first touchdown of the game during the third quarter in Seattle Sunday Nov. 17, 2002. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander, right, is chased down after a short gain by Denver Broncos defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Denver on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2006. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ben Obomanu (87) eyes the end zone after pulling in a 12-yard pass on a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010, in Denver. Denver's Champ Bailey (24) and Mario Haggan defend on the play. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Malcolm Smith (53) reacts as he returns an interception for a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII football game, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Seattle Seahawks owner Paul Allen lifts the Vince Lombardi Trophy in celebration as head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider look on following Super Bowl XLVIII against the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium on February 2, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Seahawks won 43-8. (AP Photo/Todd Rosenberg)
Seattle Seahawks' Ricardo Lockette (83) catches a touchdown pass in the end zone as Denver Broncos' Aqib Talib defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
