Jesse Williams is one step closer to returning to football.
On Thursday afternoon, the Seahawks defensive tackle who was diagnosed with Papillary Type 2 cancer last May tweeted that he had received the "all clear" to resume play.
"Finally Got the All clear to return to Football," he wrote. "Now just wait for my Opportunity."
Last year, Williams had a kidney removed shortly following his cancer diagnosis. He was cleared for light workouts in June and when training camp started in late July, Williams wasn't cleared for full contact but was given the go-ahead by the time Seattle's preseason opener rolled around, a game that saw him record two tackles against the Denver Broncos.
The snaps Williams saw in that exhibition matchup against Denver were his first since 2013, the year the Seahawks took Williams in the fifth round of the NFL Draft out of Alabama. His first two years in the pros ended before they began because of knee injuries suffered prior to the start of each regular season.
Despite his quick recovery from surgery and appearing in all four preseason games, Williams spent the 2015 regular season on Seattle's reserve/non-football injury list, but Seattle head coach Pete Carroll came away impressed with the way Williams battled.
"All things considered, it's a miraculous summer for him," Carroll said after Seattle's final preseason game. "To play football under these circumstances and the stress he's had to deal with, and the uncertainty and all of that, Jesse's had a terrific summer. He played good football for us. He demonstrated fantastic resiliency to bounce back from all of the things he's been through. Even in the last couple of weeks, to play so hard and so tough, I'm really, really proud of him. I think he did a great job. He's knocking on the door trying to make this club too, just like everyone else. He fought very gallantly to do that. Most people, I don't know that they ever respond like he did. Remarkable."
After traveling with the Seahawks all season, team photographer Rod Mar selected his favorite and most memorable photos from the 2015 season Eye on the Hawks photo essays.
De'Djuana
De'Djuana
Frankie
Frankie
Hailey
Hailey
Hannah
Hannah
Jessica B.
Jessica B.
Jessica S.
Jessica S.
Kali
Kali
Karley
Karley
Kelsey
Kelsey
Kiana
Kiana
Kristin
Kristin
Kylie
Kylie
Michaela
Michaela
Michelle
Michelle
Milena
Milena
Monica
Monica
Morgan
Morgan
Myriah
Myriah
Olivia
Olivia
Shayne
Shayne
Offensive linemen Garry Gilliam and Justin Britt lead the way down the narrow tunnel from the locker room to the field in Minneapolis prior to the game with the Vikings.
Stephanie
Stephanie
Zoe
Zoe
"Star Wars" mania gripped the country in December and defensive end Michael Bennett was not immune, donning a Darth Vader mask for pregame introductions prior to the contest against Cleveland in Week 15.
Cornerback Richard Sherman acknowledges the roar of the 12s as he's introduced before the Cleveland game.
CenturyLink Field was beautifully aglow in holiday lights after the Week 15 game just before Christmas.
Receiver Tyler Lockett found alone time in the locker room two hours before kickoff of the final regular season home game, a Week 16 contest against the Rams.
Russell Wilson applies eye black in the locker room before facing the St. Louis Rams in the final home game of the season.
Mike Morgan leads the Seahawks out of the tunnel with the 12 flag before the final regular season home game.
Water flies off of helmets and pads as Seattle's Brandon Mebane tackles St. Louis running back Todd Gurley during the Week 16 contest with the Rams.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson celebrates during the Week 17 game at Arizona, in which he set team records for touchdown passes in a season (34) and passing yards in a season (4,024).
Head coach Pete Carroll watches over the shoulder of safety Earl Thomas in the locker room as they listen to defensive coordinator Kris Richard give instructions.
After a dominant 36-6 win at Arizona to finish the regular season, Michael Bennett held up his "Black Santa" in the middle of the locker room.
Seattle returned to Minnesota for the wild-card round of the playoffs, and receiver Tyler Lockett displayed his leaping ability for his teammates during the Saturday afternoon walk-thru.
Temperatures were below zero for the wild-card game at Minnesota, but that didn't stop this fan from trying to take a selfie with Pete Carroll as the head coach made his way to the bus on Sunday morning.
Receiver Doug Baldwin, who had a breakout season, leapt high to make a stunning one-handed catch in sub-zero temperatures. His play sparked the Seahawks who came back from a 9-0 deficit.
Minnesota kicker Blair Walsh misses a potential game-winning field goal to the left and the Seahawks defeated the Vikings 10-9 to advance in the playoffs.
After the missed kick salvaged a win for the Seahawks, cornerback Richard Sherman fell to the frozen turf as he teammates celebrated the narrow 10-9 victory.
Exuberant head coach Pete Carroll celebrates with his team after escaping from Minnesota with a 10-9 victory to advance to the divisional round.
The Seahawks receiving corps poses for a video taken by Jermaine Kearse in the happy locker room after the win over Minnesota in the playoffs.
The weather was warmer in Carolina for the divisional playoff game against the Panthers and offensive linemen Russell Okung, Garry Gilliam and Justin Britt shared a laugh at the Saturday walk-thru.
On game day, head coach Pete Carroll made time during pregame to visit with seven-year old Ade Lewis of South Carolina, who, having been bullied about his Seahawks fandom at school, was invited by Carroll and the team to be guests for the divisional playoff game.
The Seahawks fell behind early but continued to play hard and nearly erased all of a 31-0 halftime deficit thanks to plays like this where Michael Bennett and Kam Chancellor hit Carolina running back Mike Tolbert so hard his helmet came off.
Seahawks receiver Kevin Smith stretches for more yardage after a catch in the playoff game against the Panthers.
Seahawks receiver Jermaine Kearse leaps high to score Seattle's first touchdown of the game, two minutes into the second half.
Seattle rallied furiously to cut the Panthers lead to 31-24 and needed to recover an onside kick to keep their playoff hopes alive. Carolina's Thomas Davis recovered the ball in front the Seahawks Derrick Coleman, effectively ending the game and the season for Seattle.
Head coach Pete Carroll addresses the Seahawks in the visitor's locker room after the season-ending loss to the Carolina Panthers in the divisional round of the playoffs.
Head coach Pete Carroll and his players and coaches gathered one last time as the season ended in Carolina.
Long after the last of his teammates had left the locker room, safety Earl Thomas sat at his locker, still clad in his uniform and pads.
Upon arrival back in Seattle, the Seahawks were greeted by throngs of 12s who showed their love and appreciation by lining roads between the airport and the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
