Seahawks training camp takeaways: A return for Brandon Marshall, and more roster moves
Aug 2, 2018, 2:03 PM | Updated: 3:33 pm
WR Brandon Marshall (pictured here from minicamp in May) hauled in a touchdown Thursday. (AP)
(AP)
The Seahawks were back in action on a slightly-more-overcast Thursday for their sixth day of training camp. The day included a touchdown from veteran wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who saw his most playing time yet, and a couple roster moves.
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Here are a few takeaways:
A return for Brandon Marshall
Wide receiver Brandon Marshall, signed by Seattle in May, got his most extensive work on the field in pads Thursday for the Seahawks – an encouraging development for an offense that could be without Doug Baldwin (knee) for a few weeks.
Marshall certainly made the most of it with an early touchdown catch from quarterback Russell Wilson during a red zone drill.
After practice, reporters got a chance to speak with Marshall, who said it was nice to feel like himself again (the Seahawks have been holding the 34 year old out of 11-on-11 drills through most of training camp). He said the return to the field was an encouraging and emotional one.
“Today was like the first day where I really felt like myself,” Marshall said. “It’s the best I’ve felt in over a year. I’m still trying to get there in midseason form. I have time. But today felt good and it reminded me that I can play some ball.”
It’s been a long road for Marshall, who has spent months recovering from surgery to repair his ankle and a foot issue.
Last week, he explained his rehabilitation timeline to 710 ESPN Seattle’s John Clayton, saying that the decision to be held out of camp was part of Seattle’s effort to take a more measured approach to his recovery.
“For me, I was cut and started getting calls so I (started) rushing the process, running before you’re supposed to, decelerating and running routes before you’re supposed to,” Marshall said. “So it was great that I came here because they’re really smart. They’re ahead of the curve when it comes to sports science and performance. And they slowed things down and said, ‘Listen, you’re not ready to run. You can run but you’ll probably end up hurting yourself.’ So right now we’re just progressing through the offseason, taking it one day at a time and slowly adding more things so I can have the volume and endurance and strength that I need that will last me the next couple of months.”
Notable plays and observations
Marshall’s touchdown was an early highlight (one that saw him met with congratulations from teammates afterward) but a few other players impressed as well.
Cornerback Trovon Reed recorded his third interception in three days (after snagging a pair Tuesday). Thursday’s pick came on a pass intended for wide receiver Marcus Johnson.
Roster moves
The Seahawks made a few roster moves Thursday morning, signing cornerback Jeremy Boykins and linebacker Josh Forrest. The team waived safety Alex Carter and tight end Je’Ron Hamm in a corresponding move.
Boykins, 23, is a Central Florida alum who was most recently with the Tennessee Titans’ practice squad. Forrest, 26, spent time on Seattle’s practice squad in 2017.
The Seahawks also added back their former 2012 NFL Draft pick J.R. Sweezy on Wednesday, and he was on the field for practice Thursday and wearing his old No. 64 (given up by guard Jordan Roos, now wearing No. 72).
