BRADY HENDERSON

Seahawks’ Germain Ifedi leaves practice early, Jimmy Graham a full participant

Sep 7, 2016, 5:49 PM | Updated: 6:46 pm

Germain Ifedi, who suffered a high-ankle sprain during practice this week, is inactive Sunday. (AP)...

Germain Ifedi, who suffered a high-ankle sprain during practice this week, is inactive Sunday. (AP)

(AP)

RENTON – Seahawks rookie right guard Germain Ifedi left Wednesday’s practice due to what the team called an ankle injury, a potentially significant development with Seattle’s regular-season opener four days away.

Team policy prohibits media from reporting what happens at practice, but offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell acknowledged afterward that Ifedi left. Asked about Ifedi’s absence and whether he’s OK, Bevell said: “I did not see what happened. I know that he went in. They took him in for a minute. But I didn’t see because I was down at the other end for another drill.”

The Seahawks’ practice report lists Ifedi as limited due to an ankle injury. That designation applies to players who take less than 100 percent of their normal practice reps. Coach Pete Carroll spoke before Wednesday’s practice and is not scheduled to do so again until Friday, so more information about Ifedi’s status may not be available right away.

Ifedi, Seattle’s first-round pick, has been in line to start at right guard, but his injury – depending on the severity – could force the Seahawks to alter their lineup for Sunday’s opener against Miami or perhaps longer.

Rookie third-round pick Rees Odhiambo is listed as Seattle’s backup at right guard, albeit on what is an unofficial depth chart. The Seahawks have other options if Ifedi is unable to play. One would be to insert rookie sixth-round pick Joey Hunt at center and move Justin Britt to right guard. Britt played left guard last season before moving to center.

Veteran guard Jahri Evans, a six-time Pro Bowl selection and four-time First-Team All-Pro during his 10 seasons with the Saints, would have been an option for Seattle in Ifedi’s absence, but he was released as the Seahawks made their cut-downs to 53. Evans has since re-signed with New Orleans.

Graham a full participant

Tight end Jimmy Graham is listed on Seattle’s practice report as a full participant, which is another sign that he could play Sunday for the first time since tearing his patellar tendon last November.

Graham returned to practice after the start of training camp and progressed to team drills. He didn’t play in any of Seattle’s four preseason games but warmed up in full pads before the last two.

“His chances are the same,” Carroll said when asked about Graham potentially playing Sunday. “They’re good.”

Carroll was asked what Graham will have to show this week in practice in order to play Sunday.

“Just more of the same,” Carroll said. “The comfort to go full out with everything we’re doing, responding from those days and feeling really good about it, us feeling good about him feeling good about it as well.”

Notes

• Running back Thomas Rawls was not listed on Seattle’s practice report, which is an indication that he was a full participant. Carroll has twice already said that Rawls will play in Seattle’s opener, though on Wednesday he indicated that his workload could be limited considering it would be the equivalent of his second preseason game. Rawls didn’t play in the first three and only carried twice in the final game.

• Cornerback Tharold Simon (knee) and tight end Nick Vannett (ankle) didn’t practice on Wednesday. Carroll has already ruled Vannett out for Sunday.

• Defensive tackle Jarran Reed (toe) is listed as a full participant.

• Dolphins Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey (hip) didn’t practice. Coach Adam Gase said earlier in the day that his status for Sunday is uncertain.

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