Seahawks Notebook: WR Josh Gordon activated, TE Greg Olsen to return

A week after getting a boost at running back with the return of Rashaad Penny, the Seahawks’ offense will now have at least two pass catchers back in action during a critical Week 16 showdown with the Rams.

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On Monday, the Seahawks activated wide receiver Josh Gordon, adding him to the 53-man roster. Receiver Penny Hart was waived to make room for Gordon.

Gordon, who was suspended for a failed drug test after Week 15 of last season, was reinstated earlier this month. He had seven catches for 139 yards in five games for the Seahawks last season.

Gordon is eligible to both return to practice and play this week, and head coach Pete Carroll says that will be the case.

“He’s in really good shape,” Carroll said at his Monday press conference, noting he’s watched videos of Gordon working out recently. “He’s really big and strong, too. We’re excited to see what he does. We’re planning this week like he has a chance to contribute, so we’ll see.”

The first step is seeing Gordon on the practice field.

“Our guys practice at a really high clip and all that, so I’m really anxious to see how he fits in,” Carroll said. “He’s a really impressive athlete, he’s a big kid and moves so well and so gracefully. I’m anxious to see how he is quickness-wise with everyone else. Last year he jumped in and it was immediately he could compete. I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t look like that because his workouts have looked so good.”

Gordon isn’t the only pass catcher the Seahawks will get back either, as Carroll expects veteran tight end Greg Olsen to play against the Rams just missing four games with a torn plantar fascia in his foot. Olsen has 23 catches for 224 yards and a touchdown this season in 10 games.

“Greg Olsen is returning this week. He had a really good week last week so he’ll be back ready to go,” Carroll said. “So if he makes it through the week and all, we’ll have a guy to add (to the tight end depth). We’ve been real excited about whenever Greg contributes.”

Seahawks injury notes

• After a scare on a deep pass that took him out of the game for the ensuing play, star receiver DK Metcalf apparently has a clean bill of health despite taking the awkward landing.

“He’s doing OK, remarkably,” Carroll said. “I don’t know how he made it out of that. But (he showed) extraordinary flexibility just to get through that without injuring (himself).”

• Starting right tackle Brandon Shell has missed three of the Seahawks’ last four games with an ankle injury. Cedric Ogbuehi played well as Shell missed Seattle’s Week 15 win over the Washington Football Team and will get the start there again if Shell is out. Carroll said Shell is aiming to return in Week 16.

“If Brandon isn’t available to us this week – he’s going to try, we’ll see – Cedric is ready to go,” he said.

• Rookie running back DeeJay Dallas‘ injury isn’t as bad as expected, much to Carroll’s relief. Dallas left Week 15 on the injury cart with an air cast on his leg, but the injury is just a sprain and not a break. It’s an injury similar to what a young Seahawks player dealt with recently.

“He has a similar ankle sprain to what (defensive end) L.J. Collier had (in training camp last year) but not as severe,” Carroll said. “… Our guys are really hopeful that it’s a few weeks.”

• Cornerback Quinton Dunbar (knee) returned to practice recently while fellow corner Tre Flowers (hamstring) will begin practicing again this week. Both could return against the Rams.

Dunbar’s knee is in a better place than it was weeks ago, Carroll said.

“He’s way ahead of where he was when he had to step out. He was getting pretty sore at the time,” Carroll said, adding Dunbar will likely need offseason surgery as the injury isn’t serious but “bothers him.”

Carroll said both Dunbar and Flowers are aiming to play Sunday.

“Both of those guys are trying to get back out there, so we’ll see how that goes,” he said. “But I’m really hopeful that if (Dunbar) is able to play he’ll be alright and do well.”

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