Seahawks notebook: Weight issues factored into Bowie’s departure

RENTON – Michael Bowie was no longer an option at right tackle this season once he sustained a significant shoulder injury on the first day of training camp.

He was no longer a Seahawk once he was claimed by Cleveland over the weekend, Seattle having taken the risk of losing Bowie by waiving him with an injury designation and exposing him to waivers.

The latter development came as a surprise considering that Bowie had shown promise while starting eight games as a rookie in 2013, even if he wasn’t going to play this season. Coach Pete Carroll shed some light on the issue Monday, saying Bowie’s weight was a factor in the team’s decision to move on.

“That’s the decision we made, yeah,” Carroll said. “He came in 20 pounds overweight, too.”

Bowie would not have been exposed to waivers had Seattle waited until after the first cut-down date – which is Aug. 26 – to place him on injured reserve. By waiving him now, though, the Seahawks avoided having to hold his roster spot for three weeks.

Perhaps more importantly, they might have also sent a message as Bowie’s weight was something that offensive-line coach Tom Cable mentioned as an issue back in June while discussing the competition with rookie Justin Britt.

So what was once a two-man race at right tackle suddenly looks a whole lot different with Bowie gone, veteran Eric Winston signed last week and possibly a few more players in the mix.

On Monday, the Seahawks signed Wade Smith, a versatile offensive lineman and 11-year veteran who has spent the last four seasons with Houston. Smith, 33, started all 16 games in each of the last four seasons and made the Pro Bowl in 2012.

Seattle also claimed offensive tackle Cory Brandon off waivers from the Cardinals.

“We want to continue to work to make this position as competitive as possible,” Carroll said. “We have a lot of young guys at the spot. These guys – Wade in particular – bring a lot of experience and tremendous flexibility. He has started at five spots, so that kind of flexibility might fit with us. They’re real good guys, and smart guys, so that helps us as we try to mold this thing together. We have flexibility in how we’re going to do it. We’re going to take our time figuring it out.”

Additionally, Carroll said Alvin Bailey could be an option now that he’s no longer filling in for Russell Okung at left tackle.

Norwood still out

Rookie wide receiver Kevin Norwood remains sidelined with a foot injury, and Carroll’s description of the situation doesn’t sound particularly promising for Seattle’s fourth-round pick.

“I think we’re waiting for some more information,” Carroll said. “We’re going to take our time with him. He’s not going to come back right away. It’s going to be a bit.”

Lynch easing in

Running back Marshawn Lynch wore his helmet and shoulder pads but did not see much action Monday, Carroll saying the team is slowly working him back in.

“We’re going to take our time and make sure that we do that right,” Carroll said. “We’ve always been very patient with him, making sure that his body is in great shape. So we’re just going to bring him along. He missed a lot of offseason with us. He did work very hard. He had a very diligent routine that he went through and regiment that he went through, but it’s still football shape that he’s got to get into.”

Monday marked Lynch’s third practice since returning from his holdout.

Notes

• SS Kam Chancellor and LT Russell Okung took part in individual drills during the early portion of practice, their first action of training camp. Both players had surgery over the offseason, Chancellor on his hip and Okung on his foot.

• LG James Carpenter (calf) could be back as early as Tuesday, Carroll said, but it could be a bit longer for LB Bobby Wagner (hamstring). Rookie WR Paul Richardson (shoulder) practiced in a red jersey.

• The Seahawks signed DT Andru Pulu and released LB Brandon Denmark and WR Ronald Johnson. Pulu, an undrafted rookie from Eastern Washington, signed with Seattle after the draft and was released in June.

Information from Danny O’Neil of 710 ESPN Seattle/710Sports.com was used in this report.