Notes from Seahawks OTA: Tate hurt, Clemons absent
May 24, 2012, 5:39 PM | Updated: 5:39 pm
By Liz Mathews
The Seahawks held their third Organized Team Activity (OTA) of the season on Thursday and the first open to the media. While the OTA was voluntary, three players of note were absent: defensive ends Bruce Irvin and Chris Clemons and wider receiver Golden Tate.
Irvin was en route to Morgantown, W. Va. to attend a funeral and memorial service for former WVU football coach Bill Stewart, who passed suddenly from a heart attack on May 21. Tate injured his hand on Wednesday and is now in a cast. Head coach Pete Carroll said he does not yet know the extent of Tate’s injury, but that he is going to “be out for a bit.”
As for Clemons, Carroll only confirmed that he wasn’t at practice, and no reason was given for his absence. Clemons was also missing from last week’s voluntary workouts.
Carroll provided some injury updates regarding a few of the players who are now on the mend. Offensive tackle James Carpenter was present at the activity on Thursday, and finally able to run since his season-ending knee injury in November.
“He went out there and was jogging today,” Carroll said. “Everybody was fired up for him. It was great to see him. He’s made a couple big steps just recently, so that’s really encouraging.”
Carpenter still isn’t able to physically participate in practices and is likely to start the regular season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) List.
Left tackle Russell Okung (pectoral) and guard John Moffitt (knee), who both finished last season on the injured reserve, have been able to ease back into limited practice.
“John Moffitt is getting work, he’s doing a good job,” Carroll said. “Russell is well along his way, it’s just a matter of when they want to release him now. He can do everything and is at the cusp of cutting him loose.”
Carroll said wide receiver Kris Durham (shoulder) will likely be able to go “full-speed” by next Wednesday and rookie safety Winston Guy (shoulder) is “really close to playing, too.”
New tight end Kellen Winslow and former Central Washington wide receiver Justin Helewege, whom the team signed on Thursday, were present for the activity.
The Seahawks resume OTAs next week but the team has yet to announce availability.
