Carroll: Dwight Freeney will make Seahawks debut Sunday; updates status of Jeremy Lane

Newly-signed defensive end Dwight Freeney will get quite the welcome to Seattle this Sunday when he hits the field for the Seahawks’ Week 8 matchup against the Houston Texans. Pete Carroll told reporters Wednesday that the team expects the seven-time Pro Bowler to see playing time – though nobody’s quite sure how much time he will see on the field.

“We’ve got a thought,” Carroll said, when asked how much he expects Freeney to play. “You guys will see.”

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Carroll said the conversation about Freeney started almost four weeks ago, when defensive end Cliff Avril sustained a neck injury that ultimately landed him on the injured reserve.

Freeney, 37, has 281 tackles and 122.5 sacks over his 15-year NFL career. He appeared in 15 games last year for the Falcons, and recorded 3.0 sacks.

“(Freeney) is an extraordinarily savvy guy,” Carroll said. “He’s so smart and well-schooled and got tremendous discipline about his part of the game, rushing the passer, that it’s going to help guys just being around him.

“He was really anxious to get back to playing, so it was a chance and it worked out.”

On the injury front, cornerback Jeremy Lane (groin) was set to go “full speed” at practice Wednesday.

Lane, 27, tweeted Tuesday – typically the Seahawks’ off day – his disappointment at being benched. He has not played since sustaining a groin injury in the Seahawks’ 46-18 win over the Colts in Week 4. His spot has since been filled by rookie Shaquill Griffin.

“He wants to play. He wants to play. He got a little bit of work last week, he hasn’t practiced with us yet really,” Carroll said. “So with a guy coming off (a groin injury), he’s got to go today, and tomorrow, and Friday, and see how he recovers from those days and see if he’s ready by gameday. And we don’t know that yet. But he’s battling to come on back, and this place is about competition.”

Carroll was asked about Lane’s tweets, and reiterated that competition is a central theme of the Seahawks’ program.

“Everybody is (competing for their starting job). That’s how it goes. We don’t have a rule around here that if you’ve been in your spot, you get it forever.”

Center Justin Britt, who sprained his ankle Sunday, was able to finish the game but will miss practice this week. Carroll said the team will make a decision on his status Friday.

Defensive end Dion Jordan will return to practice this week after starting the season on the non-football injury list.

“Really excited for Dion. It’s been a long haul for him to get back out. He’s worked really hard, his mind has been in it the whole time. We’re going to ease him in. And just bring him along, work with him after practice today some, and make sure that he’s making some progress, and a couple weeks now we’ll see where it is.”

Rookie defensive tackle Malik McDowell continues to progress in workouts and will be getting some running in this week.

The Seahawks also signed defensive tackle Rodney Coe to the practice squad, and released cornerback Tyvis Powell in a corresponding move.

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