Seahawks notebook: DT Jesse Williams leaves practice on a cart

RENTON – Jesse Williams arrived at training camp leaner than he was a year ago as a rookie and every bit as strong.

But the question was never about what he could do on the field; it was whether or not he could stay there. He didn’t play as a rookie because of a knee injury that landed him on injured reserve in August.

That’s what made his departure from Wednesday’s practice so disappointing, the second-year defensive tackle from Alabama carted off the field after suffering an apparent leg injury.

There was no official word on the severity of the injury, which leaves at least a little room for optimism.

“Hopefully, things are OK,” defensive coordinator Dan Quinn said.

It’s the second consecutive day in which the Seahawks have had a player carted off the field, tight end Anthony McCoy having suffered an Achilles injury on Tuesday.

Neither player was someone the Seahawks were necessarily counting on to contribute given the fact that both missed last season because of injury. Each could have helped the Seahawks, though.

Williams in particular as he’s part of a defensive line that must replace three of its top eight players from a year ago after the offseason releases of Red Bryant and Chris Clemons and the free-agent departure of Clinton McDonald.

Wright stuff

K.J. Wright has found a spot he wants to stay. That’s not only true for his job at weak-side linebacker, but his place on the Seahawks’ roster.

And while his role is secure this season, down the road there is a question as Wright enters the final season of a four-year rookie contract that he’d be open to extending.

“I’m hoping something gets done,” Wright said. “But if it doesn’t, I’ll be fine.”

Wright and teammate Malcolm Smith are both entering the final year of their respective deals, and after an offseason in which the Seahawks extended cornerback Richard Sherman, safety Earl Thomas and receiver Doug Baldwin, the pair of linebackers would be next in line.

Of course, the reality of a salary cap and the looming extension for quarterback Russell Wilson next year will have something to do with Seattle’s spending room.

“This place, I really like and enjoy,” Wright said, “But good guys leave. You saw Golden (Tate), Walter (Thurmond). Those guys had to walk. If they want me here, like I said, they’ll find a way to keep me.”

The linebackers are running thin at training camp as Smith and Bruce Irvin have yet to begin practicing after undergoing offseason surgeries. While rookie Kevin Pierre-Louis returned to practice after sitting out Tuesday because of a sore oblique, Bobby Wagner didn’t take part Wednesday due to a tight hamstring.

Notes

• WR Kevin Norwood was back in a helmet and pads Wednesday after sitting out the previous three practices with a sore foot, but he did not participate in team drills.

• LG James Carpenter (calf) and RT Michael Bowie (shoulder) did not practice.

• WR Paul Richardson did not practice either, his injury undisclosed.