Seahawks notebook: Ed Dickson should return soon to help at TE

The Seahawks were back at practice Wednesday for the first time since suffering a 30-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday.

The 3 Questions: How will Quandre Diggs fit in Seahawks’ secondary?

Head coach Pete Carroll took to the podium and had several updates to share about the status of the team. Here are three takeaways:

Quandre Diggs jumping in at safety (for now)

There was some question about how exactly the Seahawks would use their big trade acquisition Quandre Diggs, who can play either safety spot but started his NFL career as a cornerback. For now he’s going to stick at safety, where the Seahawks are dealing with some depth issues, but there’s no specific role as of yet for him.

“He’ll wind up playing at free safety and strong safety. He’ll play both for us in time here,” Carroll said. “We’ll start him out where we can fit him in best. We’ll see in time on that one. … We got concerned with our depth and our issues on a couple guys banged up. We’re not sure when they’re going to get back. There’s a little uncertainty with Bradley (McDougald). Bradley may pop back here soon, but he hasn’t been able to yet. We know Lano (Hill) is out for a bit. We were looking (for safety help) and it just happened to pop up just right.”

Carroll added that Diggs could also find playing time eventually at nickel cornerback and that his versatility is a big reason Seattle general manager John Schneider traded for him.

“A rare opportunity to get an experienced player that can fit a lot of roles,” Carroll said. “It gives us real flexibility and so we had to do everything. John made a great move to get this done.”

The Seahawks coach was effusive in praise when it came to the newest member of his secondary.

“He’s an explosive player. I’ve watched him for years be the kind of guy that throws his body around as well as you can do it. He’s a real hitter and a playmaker. He’s played in a lot of situations. He’s played nickel. He’s played a lot of coverage on key tight ends and key matchups. They’ve used him in a number of different ways. He’s got a big variety of background. I just think he’s a unique player. He’s one of those guys that I’ve seen for a long time and liked for a long time. We really feel lucky to get him.”

Tight end help could come soon

The Seahawks will play their second game on Sunday since losing top tight end Will Dissly for the season, but it may be their last before getting another key player at the position back.

Ed Dickson, who was placed on injured reserve before the season due to his recovery from knee surgery and therefore ineligible to play the first eight games of the season, is on track to return after Seattle plays Atlanta.

“Ed is working really well. He’s going to come back next week. I think next week is his first chance back. He’s practicing next week,” Carroll said. “Based on what I’m seeing, he’s going to be practicing to play. That’s pretty optimistic right now. I’ve watched his workouts a number of times in the last couple weeks. He’s working hard, and he has a chance.”

Dickson, 32, had 12 receptions for 142 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games last season, his first with Seattle. One of his TD catches just happened to come while being covered by new teammate Diggs, as well (watch here).

Pair of injury returns expected

While Dickson should be back next week, Seattle may have a lineman on each side of the ball back in action this week.

Left tackle Duane Brown was set to “do some work” Wednesday, Carroll said, and defensive end Ziggy Ansah is in a similar situation.

“We’ll see how he does today,” Carroll said of Ansah. “He ran really well this morning. He looked like he’s really close to getting back. We’ll have a chance to see him play this week.”

Ansah missed the game against the Ravens with an ankle injury suffered the week before, while Brown has missed two straight games with a bicep injury. If Brown is able to play against the Falcons, it would free up George Fant to return to his regular role as a blocking tight end.

“It’s a big deal to us. It’s really a big deal,” Carroll said about Brown’s potential return and Fant going back to tight end. “If we get that done, I think George is such a unique guy at that position that that’s a really important thing for us if we can get it. We’ve missed him for a couple weeks now (with Fant playing left tackle).”

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