The Seahawks kicked off their practice week for their wild-card game against the Philadelphia Eagles, and joining the team on the field Wednesday was a key part of their defense who has been unavailable for the past two games.
Free safety Quandre Diggs' return to action doesn't guarantee he will play after missing the previous two games with a high-ankle sprain, but it's certainly a positive development for him and Seattle's defense.
"It feels good," Diggs said prior to practice. "I'm excited to get to practice with my guys again. You always miss these aspects of playing the game, practicing, you miss those things when they're taken away from you… I've got to get through the week, and we'll go from there. You never know what'll happen at practice, so I just want to try to put my best foot forward."
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll expressed optimism Monday that Diggs will indeed play this week, and that would be a big development for Seattle's defense considering how well he has played in his five games with Seattle since arriving in a trade with the Detroit Lions. In his four full games prior to the injury, Diggs was responsible for four takeaways—three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown, and one forced fumble that he also recovered.
"You all saw it and felt it too, you asked us questions about, 'Hey, it looks like things are a little different when he's playing.' It is," Carroll said Monday. "His experience, his savvy, his confidence, it has an effect. So I'm thrilled to get him back out there if that's the case. We need him, we need everything we can get."
Left tackle Duane Brown is also hoping to return this week, but only two weeks removed from knee surgery, there is less optimism about his chances at a return than Diggs'.
"He's working at it," Carroll said. "He's trying to get back. He's going for it. We'll see what he can do. I don't know anything right now. There's nothing he's done on the field yet."
Among the other players the Seahawks are hoping to get back is receiver Malik Turner, who missed Sunday's game with a concussion.
"He's got some tests to do today to get cleared for tomorrow," Carroll said. "Everything is trending towards he's going to be back, but he's got a meeting here right now that he's got to perform in and show that he's OK."
Jadeveon Clowney is still dealing with the core injury that caused him to miss two games prior to returning last week, and Carroll said the defensive end will practice.
"He's practicing and going," Carroll said. "He's doing the best he can so he's ready to go again."
Carroll said Marshawn Lynch is healthy and ready to practice after seeing his first game action in 14 months.
"He's ready to go," Carroll said. "Ready to practice today, no hesitation."
Carroll also gave updates on three players on injured reserve, including the good news that running back Chris Carson won't need surgery for his fractured hip.
"As a matter of fact, I saw Chris yesterday and he was in very good spirits because of that (news that he won't need surgery)." Carroll said. "It's still quite an and extensive recovery, but he has no surgery and he doesn't have to undergo any of those issues. He was really thrilled about that. The recovery will be as quickly as possible. He was really of good attitude about it and all that. He's a great worker. We don't have any problem expecting him to come back."
Asked if Carson should be ready for training camp, Carroll said, "Absolutely, yeah."
As for Rashaad Penny, who had surgery for a torn ACL, Carroll said, "All the expectations are that he'll make it back. It was a legit surgery that's going to call for the full length of time, and it's a little bit less predictable with his recovery than it would be for Chris."
Guard Ethan Pocic, who was placed on injured reserve with a core injury, will need surgery, Carroll said: "He kind of developed over time a core injury that was just too much for him and he couldn't overcome it. We tried like crazy and he stuck it out as long as he could. He's going to have to get fixed up. He's played with it for a little bit of time and it popped up here and he couldn't do anything about it unfortunately.
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seattle Seahawks' Week 17 game against the San Francisco 49ers. Eye on the Hawks is presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson enters the locker room on Sunday afternoon.
Offensive guard D.J. Fluker makes a fashionable entrance on game day.
On the field, Seahawks linebacker and defensive captain Bobby Wagner goes through his early warmups under the watchful eye of defensive coordinator Ken Norton, Jr.
Wearing his Bose headphones, quarterback Russell Wilson takes the field for his early warmup throws.
Receiver David Moore leaps to make a catch during warmups.
Seahawks safety Lano Hill warms up on the field during pregame.
Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin stretches as he prepares for the game.
Seahawks newly-signed running back Robert Turbin greets former NFL player Chad ÒOchocincoÓ Johnson on the field before the game.
Seahawks safety Bradley McDougald wore these custom shoes honoring the NBAÕs now-defunct Seattle SuperSonics during his pregame routine.
Seahawks Marshawn Lynch and Luke Willson during pregame.
Seahawks defensive captain Bobby Wagner makes an impassioned speech to the team before they take the field.
Quarterback Russell Wilson greets teammates as they prepare for pregame introductions.
Marshawn Lynch, who only recently re-signed with the team, prepares to be introduced during pregame.
Running backs Travis Homer, Robert Turbin and Marshawn Lynch entered the field as a trio during pregame introductions.
Early in the game, Seahawks Quinton Jefferson and Rasheem Green pressure 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, resulting in a sack.
12s bring the noise for the defense during the first half.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Flowers sacks 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in the first quarter.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson fires a pass in the first half.
Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch found room for a five-yard gain on his first carry back with the team.
Seahawks defensive end Ziggy Ansah drags down 49ers ballcarrier Tevin Coleman for no gain.
Former teammates with the Seahawks, Marshawn Lynch and the 49ers Richard Sherman chat during a break in the action.
Seahawks running back Travis Homer finds running room during the second quarter.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf catches a pass along the left sideline during the second quarter.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson spots receiver Tyler Lockett crossing over the middle in the second quarter.
Receiver Tyler Lockett is brought down at the end of a 10-yard gain in the second quarter.
Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright hits 49ers running back Matt Breida in the backfield that was ruled an incomplete pass after being reviewed by officials.
defensive line coach Clint Hurtt discusses strategy during the break.
Defensive players sit and listen as assistant coach Clint Hurtt discusses strategy during the break.
Offensive line coach Mike Solari listens as guard D.J. Fluker talks during halftime.
Seahawks quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Geno Smith review plays on their Microsoft Surface with quarterbacks coach Dave Canales.
Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright brings down 49ers tight end George Kittle in the third quarter.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson scrambles away from 49ers defender Nick Bosa.
12s were loud all night during the regular season finale.
Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch finds open space to the right during the second half.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett celebrates after his touchdown reception in the third quarter.
Seahawks running back Travis Homer looks for room amid a trio of 49ers defenders.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett looks for more yardage after a reception in the fourth quarter as Seattle mounted a comeback.
SeattleÕs DK Metcalf ends up just short of the goal line during a fourth quarter drive.
Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch goes over the top of the blocks by Jamarco Jones and Mike Iupati to score a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
This young 12 Òall-inÓ as the Seahawks mounted a second half comeback.
SeattleÕs DK Metcalf uses his size and jumping ability to catch this 14-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin makes a tackle late in the game.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson looks for a receiver on the final drive of the game.
Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister is unable to make a reception in the end zone late in the game as he is hit by a 49ers defender.
On the Seahawks final play from scrimmage, tight end Jacob Hollister caught a pass near the goal line. Seahawks players and coaches react as the replay is shown on the big screen and officials reviewed the call.
Seahawks players Russell Wilson, Bradley McDougald, and Tyler Lockett listen to head coach Pete Carroll inside the quiet locker room after the game.
Seahawks veteran receiver Tyler Lockett speaks to the team after the game.
The Seahawks gather around quarterback and captain Russell Wilson in the locker room after the game.
