Uchenna Nwosu Returning To Practice & Other News From Mike Macdonald's Press Conference

News and notes from Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald’s Monday press conference.

Nov 25, 2024 at 05:01 PM

John Boyle

Seahawks.com Senior Reporter

Uchenna Nwosu hinted at his return on social media Monday afternoon, posting "perfect timing" on X, formerly known as Twitter.

And later in the day, Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald confirmed that the veteran outside linebacker will indeed return to practice this week.

"I think the plan is we'll have him out there (Wednesday) in some capacity," Macdonald said. "Return to play, in terms of how long, I can't tell you. The window will open then we'll go from there."

Perfect Timing.
— Uchenna Nwosu (@UchennaN_42) November 25, 2024

Nwosu, who missed the start of the season due to a knee injury, returned for Seattle's Week 5 game against the Giants, only to exit that game with a thigh injury that landed him on injured reserve. And while Nwosu will get on the practice field this week, he will need some time to be game ready, meaning he won't play against the Jets on Sunday.

"This week is going to be pretty limited, so we won't be seeing him this week, then we'll take it from there," Macdonald said.

After a standout 2022 season with the Seahawks, Nwosu has dealt with some bad injury luck, suffering a season-ending pectoral injury six games into last season, then suffering a knee injury in Seattle's final preseason game that kept him out for four games to start this season, followed by the thigh injury that landed him on injured reserve. Getting Nwosu back would only add to a talented outside linebacker group that has been a big part of the Seahawks' success, a group led by Boye Mafe, Derick Hall and Dre'Mont Jones.

Seahawks will "take a long look at "Sataoa Laumea" following Anthony Bradford's injury.

Starting right guard exited Sunday's game with an ankle injury, and after the game Macdonald said Anthony Bradford will likely miss at least this week's game. And while Christian Haynes, who took over for Bradford after the injury, would seem the likely candidate to take over, especially considering he split reps at that spot with Bradford earlier this season, Macdonald said the Seahawks will also look at another member of the 2024 draft class, sixth-round pick Sataoa Laumea.

"Sataoa is someone we're going to take a long look at as well," Macdonald said when asked about Haynes in that role. "But Christian played winning football for us, but we want him to grow. Keep growing man, you've got to go prove it every week on the practice field and in preparation. But right now, he deserves all the credit for being a guy that was rotating in, then AB took over, he still prepared, knew all the things that we—no mentals on the day, but some technique stuff we've got to get cleaned up. But overall, good enough to win the game, so, happy with his ability to step in and help us win the football game."

Asked about Laumea's rookie campaign so far, Macdonald said, "Just a guy who continues to work his craft and take it day by day. He can play both left and right guard. Just a guy we were really excited about bringing him in, and then to see his approach every day, and now that he gets an opportunity, it's another example of, 'Hey, what are you going to do with it? Go to work.'"

Abraham Lucas in the process of returning to full speed.

Right tackle Abraham Lucas made his 2024 debut in Seattle's Week 11 win over the 49ers, then took another step forward in Sunday's win over the Cardinals, playing every offensive snap after being held out for a couple of series the previous week. And while the increased workload is a positive step for Lucas, who had knee surgery in the offseason, Macdonald noted that the third-year tackle is still working his way back to full speed.

"Taking steps," Macdonald said. "It was good to get him the whole game. I know he's sore. It's going to be a process now getting Abe full speed, all the reps, all the things, but it's great to have him out there."