The Seahawks were back in action on Monday following their preseason-opening win in Los Angeles. But after just one practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center, the Seahawks will pack up and go back on the road Tuesday to fly to Nashville, where they will take part in joint practices with the Titans for two days leading up to a preseason game between the two teams on Saturday.
"We've got a big week ahead of us," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. "Looking forward to travel tomorrow, then practice against Tennessee will be great, then we'll play another game on Saturday."
The Seahawks had not previously held joint practices under Pete Carroll, nor Mike Holmgren for that matter, with the franchise last practicing against another team in 1991 when they practiced with the Falcons in Portland. But Macdonald, along with new Titans head coach Brian Callahan, was in favor of making joint practice happen as they both prepare for their first seasons as head coaches.
"One, the science behind it to kind of callous the team to get ready to go for the long haul, so that's No. 1," Macdonald said when asked about the reason behind joint practices. "Then just looking for the competition within a structured setting. I think they've got a great team, they've got a great coaching staff, so to do it in a tight manner instead of in a game, kind of control the environment. Then it's an opportunity to evaluate a lot of the guys—where are starters are at going against their starters, then where the guys 79-80, how those guys fit into the equation?"
With starters expected to get a lot of full-pad reps in Tuesday and Wednesday's practice, then not play in the game Saturday, the practices in some ways will be the biggest part of the week even with a game capping things on Saturday.
"The starters probably won't play in the game, they'll get the majority of the practice reps," Macdonald said. "We'll get the threes out there as well, so there's a method behind the madness, but you shouldn't see a lot of the starters on Saturday."
"Opportunities for a lot of growth" even after 16-3 win.
The Seahawks enjoyed a dominant win over the Chargers Saturday, led by a stifling defensive performance, but Macdonald came out of that seeing plenty of room for growth despite all the positives that were on display in a 16-3 win.
"You're excited coming off the games, it's never as good, it's never as bad," he said. "There's so many details we can fix and chase from the first time to the next. It's all positive, but hey, there's a lot of room for growth on an individual level with the guys, schematically, how we're teaching the details, process wise, going through things with the coaches. All levels of the organization of our football team, I think there's opportunities there for a lot of growth."
As for what it was like actually going through a game as a head coach, Macdonald said, "I was surprisingly calm. I've just got a lot of faith in our people, and it helps that it's a preseason game. Just going in with the mentality of, 'Hey, we've got our guys, we're ready to go, let's go throw our best shot and just move on from there.' It felt great."
Macdonald also offered his thoughts on the new-look kickoff, which in Saturday's game featured a long return by both teams.
"I thought it was awesome, it was really cool to see, and the guys get a feel for the timing of the play—it's so hard to simulate in practice," he said. "We'll get another couple of great reps against Tennessee in practice, so looking forward to that. A lot of good stuff on tape, but you can't be giving up 40-yard kick returns, so would like to be better in that department."
Good start for Byron Murphy II
Among the many positives to come out of Saturday's win was an encouraging debut for first-round pick Byron Murphy II. Murphy's stat line showed just one tackle, a tackle for loss on a running play, but he was active throughout his time on the field, nearly recording a sack on a play that still ended as a sack for Jon Rhattigan and Derick Hall, and caused problems for multiple linemen attempting to block him.
"Byron did play very well," Macdonald said. "All the things that we saw during practice. But same idea, 'Hey, it was a small dosage in terms of what we're asking you to do, now let's up that a little bit and see how far you can take it."
Injury updates
The Seahawks came out of Saturday's game without any apparent significant injuries, but did have a couple of players sidelined Monday, including linebacker Jon Rhattigan and receiver Dee Eskridge.
"Jon has a heel," Macdonald said. "Dee, nothing serious. He finished the game fine.
On Rhattigan, Macdonald added, "I think we're in the phase of evaluating it. I don't think it's too serious, but whether it's days or weeks, I'm not sure."
Linebacker Drake Thomas returned to practice for the first time after opening camp on the physically unable to perform list.
"Drake was out here today, we'll ramp him up, but it's great to see him," Macdonald said. "He's been working his absolute tail off. He's the type of guy we're excited about to come out here and compete."
The Seahawks returned to practice on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center after winning their preseason week 1 road matchup against the L.A. Chargers.
Seahawks tackle Michael Jerrell (65) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (51) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks linebacker Darrell Taylor (52) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks center Connor Williams (57) at practice on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell (6) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (97) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (55) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks center Connor Williams (57) and center Olu Oluwatimi (51) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (55) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks tackle/guard Sataoa Laumea (63) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (75) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks guard McClendon Curtis (66) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks tackle Max Pircher (69) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks guard Christian Haynes (64) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks center Connor Williams (57) at practice on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (51) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (51) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks tackle Raiqwon O'Neal (79) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks tackle/guard Sataoa Laumea (63) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks tackle Jalen Sundell (61) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks defensive end Myles Adams (95) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson (0) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks linebacker Blake Lynch (40) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks strong safety K'Von Wallace (24) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks cornerback Carlton Johnson (37) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks strong safety K'Von Wallace (24) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks cornerback/safety Coby Bryant (8) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks tight end Brady Russell (38) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks wide receiver Hayden Hatten (84) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks tight end Brady Russell (38) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald at practice on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) and running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (55) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks strong safety K'Von Wallace (24) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb at practice on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell (6) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks running back Kobe Lewis (44) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks wide receiver Easop Winston Jr. (13) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
The Seahawks secondary practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) and quarterback Sam Howell (6) practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
The Seahawks practiced on August 12, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center
