Jamal Adams came off the physically unable to perform list on Thursday, but he didn't practice with the team, as was expected based on how the team has brought other players back off the PUP list in camp.
Adams, who tore his quadriceps tendon in last year's season-opening win over Denver, can begin taking valuable reps in the team's walkthroughs before practice starting next week—the team didn't have a walkthrough on Thursday—then will work his way back to being full speed in practice.
"It's a good step for him as he's preparing to get back," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. "These weeks, they go by quickly now, and if he would have continued to stay on PUP, he wouldn't be able to get any of our football work, so he'll jump into the routine, like we've been doing with our guys, of walkthroughs and things like that, so that he can start to break the huddle with the fellas and make the calls and get aligned and make adjustments and all that, and get his mind rolling in that direction. This is a good time for him to pop back. He's ready to go, he's working really hard. If you watched his workout, you would never know there was anything wrong. But he still trying to make his strengths and get everything up to max, and we're going to do it perfectly. We're going to wait it out and make sure that we really take care of him."
Adams is following a regimen similar to that of teammates who have come off the PUP list during camp, including cornerback Riq Woolen, tight end Noah Fant and linebacker Jordyn Brooks, all of whom were in walkthrough-only mode before eventually returning to practice.
"It has worked out really well," Carroll said. "To see Jordyn out here taking full-speed reps, he's comfortable with it and he was able to work his way back into it, which is exactly how we picture it for Jamal as well. So it has worked out."
Having Adams back in walkthroughs won't only be good to help him get ready for the season, but it will also benefit his teammates, especially younger players.
"He's going to help them," Carroll said. "He's a guy who makes other guys play better around him."
Asked if there was pressure to get Adams back for the September 10 season opener against the Rams, Carroll said, "That pressure does not exist. I don't feel like that. We're working with him and the docs and the trainers, that's what's important. When he gets back, I just want him to feel right and confident, and believe in the process that got him there. We're not going to rush him at all."
Jaxon Smith-Njigba's Surgery "Went Great"
Seahawks rookie receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba underwent surgery this week after fracturing his wrist in last weekend's game against Dallas. And while there still isn't a defined timeline on his return, Carroll said the initial reports on the operation were very positive.
"I haven't heard any word since the surgery other than what they initially said, that everything went great," Carroll said. "They showed us the pictures and all that kind of stuff, so we saw that. It's an elaborate surgery for such a small crack, but it's going to be so safe, so we're really pleased with it, and so is he."
Other Injury Updates
Cornerback Devon Witherspoon missed the past two preseason games with a hamstring injury, and will not play this week, but he is making progress and Carroll said the rookie is on track to return to practice next week.
Fellow 2023 draft pick Olu Oluwatimi is expected to play Saturday after missing time with an elbow injury. Asked what he wants to see out of the rookie center, Carroll said, "Just see where he is, see if he keeps making progress. He's been a little bit hindered because his elbow has been a little bit of a problem, he's had to adapt to that. But to his credit, his mentality, his attitude have been great. He doesn't want to miss anything."
Center Joey Hunt is not expected to play, however, the result of a knee injury.Â
"He tweaked his knee a little bit," Carroll said. "He tried to get out today to run to see if he has a chance to play in the game, it looks like he might not be able to make it. He didn't have a good morning workout."
Outside linebacker Darrell Taylor continues to sit out with a shoulder injury, but the hope is he will start doing more next week.
"He feels really good he's made a big jump the few days, so I would think he's got a chance to start really doing some stuff next week," Carroll said. "So that's what we're kind of counting on, we're hoping to get there."
Also unexpected to play due to injury are receiver Cody Thompson (shoulder), safety Jonathan Sutherland (calf) and receiver Dareke Young, who is away from the team seeing a specialist to determine if he needs surgery on an abductor injury.
The Seahawks practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks safety Jamal Adams (33) and cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks cornerback Arquon Bush (24) and cornerback Tre Brown (22) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) and safety Quandre Diggs (6) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks quarterback Holton Ahlers (15) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks wide receiver John Hall (82) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Pete Carroll at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs (6) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks defensive end Myles Adams (95) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven (48) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks tight end Colby Parkinson (84) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks tackle Stone Forsythe (78) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks wide receiver Matt Landers (17) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks cornerback Coby Bryant (8) and wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks wide receiver Matt Landers (17) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks cornerback Lance Boykin (18) and cornerback Riq Woolen (27) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks fullback/linebacker Nick Bellore (44) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks running back SaRodorick Thompson (29) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks wide receiver Cade Johnson (88) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks safety Jamal Adams (33) and safety Julian Love (20) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
Seahawks at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. Aug. 24, 2023.
