Rookie receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba fractured his wrist in the Seahawks' second preseason game, an injury that required surgery, but despite that relatively recent injury, the first-round pick is expected to play when the Seahawks open their season Sunday against the Rams.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Smith-Njigba is doing "quite well," and that the receiver hasn't reported any issues after getting work in practice last week and on Monday.
"He hasn't said a peep about it," Carroll said. "Nothing. He's fine. It's been a remarkable mentality that he's brought to it, it's better than most guys that you see. He's not hesitating to do everything throughout the gameplan and the preparation and all of that."
Carroll then responded in the affirmative when asked if he expects Smith-Njigba to play.
The status of fellow first-round pick Devon Witherspoon is less certain, but the cornerback out of Illinois did return to practice this week, giving him at least a chance to make it back.
"He's practicing," Carroll said. "He'll go today, and we'll see how he does… He's still monitored a little bit with his numbers, but he's going to get out there and go. He's going to be full speed today."
And Smith-Njigba isn't the only rookie making his way back from injury. Defensive lineman Mike Morris and outside linebacker Derick Hall both returned to practice after missing time with shoulder injuries.
"Today will be important to see them again, but Mike had a really good Monday, and Derick was a little bit limited on Monday, we'll see how he does today," Carroll said. "But those guys are working to see if they can find their way back in."
Outside linebacker Darrell Taylor, who tied for the team lead with 9.5 sacks in 2022, is also back on the practice field this week after missing much of camp and the preseason with a shoulder injury, and Carroll indicated Taylor will play.
"He's fired up," Carroll said. "He's ready to go."
Saftey Jamal Adams won't play this week, Carroll said, but he continues to make progress in his recovery from a torn quadriceps tendon.
"He's really pumped up now," Carroll said. "I was with Jamal this morning, and he's talking about how close it's getting and how much he's ready to get rolling. But there's still a process to it, and we're not quite there yet. He's really positive, and is maybe the strongest, best shape he's ever been in because he's worked so hard in this process. Since he's been here, he's just been stellar about going for it and pushing it. He's really positive, and we've just got to wait it out and be patient."
Adams is currently taking part in walkthroughs, and the hope is to have him back on the practice field next week.
"He'll get back on the field and get a lot of work next week, and we'll start the process," Carroll said.
The Seahawks and Rams face off for the last game of the regular season on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2024. Kickoff is set for 1:05 p.m. PT. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the Rams.
Los Angeles Rams kicker Tom Dempsey (10) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks Oct. 31, 1976, in Los Angeles. (NFL Photos via AP)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Cornell Webster (38) stops Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Drew Hill (29) during an NFL pre-season game Aug. 19, 1979 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Jack Youngblood (85) sacks Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jim Zorn for a loss during the first quarter in this Aug. 28, 1982 photo in Anaheim, Calif. Youngblood was one of seven elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2001. (AP Photo/Doug Pizac)
FILE - In this Aug. 13, 1987, file photo, Los Angeles Rams running back Eric Dickerson (29) breaks away from Seattle Seahawks' Joe Nash during an NFL preseason football game in Anaheim, Calif. On Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, Dickerson signed a one-day contract to retire as a member of the L Rams, reuniting the famous running back with his first NFL football franchise. Dickerson also became a vice president of business development with the Rams, who returned to Los Angeles last year after 21 seasons in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Lennox McLendon, File)
Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy (96) topples a St. Louts Rams quarterback (16) during a pre-season NFL football game in 1991. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
FILE - In this Sept. 10, 2000, file photo, St. Louis Rams' Devin Bush tackles Seattle Seahawks's Ricky Watters during the second half of an NFL football game in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer, File)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck makes a pass against the St. Louis Rams during the first half in Seattle, Sunday Dec. 22, 2002. Hasselbeck passed for 303 yards completing 20 in 32 attempts as the Seahawks win 30-10. Behind is Rams' Troyka Jackson and Seahawks' Walter Jones. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Alex Bannister (85) hits St. Louis Rams' DeJaun Groce after Groce caught a punt during the first quarter in Seattle Sunday, Sept. 21, 2003. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks receiver Jerry Rice leaps to make a one-handed catch against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri on November 14, 2004. The Rams won 23-12. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger, right, is sacked by Seattle Seahawks' Lofa Tatupu in the third quarter, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005, in Seattle. The Seahawks won, 31-16. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' Delon Branch, right, catches a touchdown pass in front of St. Louis Rams' Travis Fisher in the forth quarter in an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 15, 2006, in St. Louis. The Seahawks won 30-28. (AP Photo/Bill Boyce)
Cornerback Marcus Trufant #23 of the Seattle Seahawks lends a leaping hand as teammate Deon Grant #24 intercepts a pass intended for wide receiver Travis Taylor #18 of the St. Louis Rams at Quest Field on October 21, 2007 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Rams 33-6. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Members of the Seattle Seahawks line up one yard out of the end zone against the St. Louis Rams during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008, in St. Louis. The Seahawks won 23-20. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Seattle Seahawks' Julius Jones (22) runs with the ball as St. Louis Rams' David Vobora falls behind in the second quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson (39) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry (59) and Seattle Seahawks safety Lawyer Milloy middle, during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Seattle Seahawks defensive back Brandon Browner breaks up a pass intended for Brandon Lloyd of the St. Louis Rams during an NFL game in Seattle on Monday, Dec. 12, 2011. The Seahawks won the game, 30-13. (AP Photo/G. Newman Lowrance)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson runs from St. Louis Rams outside linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 30, 2012, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Seattle Seahawks vs St. Loius Rams; Malcolm Smith
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jermaine Kearse, right, pushes Los Angeles Rams cornerback Lamarcus Joyner away as he runs the ball during the second half of an NFL football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae Hong)
Tyler Lockett's toe-drag touchdown reception from a Russell Wilson 13-yard looping-over-the-top-pass brought a feeling of poetic ballet to the skill of catching touchdown passes. The Seahawks defeated the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football, 30-29, at CenturyLink Field, October 3, 2019.
