Notebook: Macdonald explains Seahawks’ minicamp audible

RENTON – The Seattle Seahawks were initially scheduled to conclude OTA practices this week before wrapping up their offseason program with mandatory minicamp next week.

But instead, they called an audible.

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The Seahawks moved up their mandatory minicamp to this week, which allows their veterans to get an extra week off for summer break before they return for training camp in late July. It’s a tactic other NFL teams have done as well.

The Seahawks could still hold a few OTA practices next week, but from head coach Mike Macdonald’s press conference Tuesday, it sounds like any practices next week will be for Seattle’s rookie class.

Macdonald said the decision stemmed in large part from how hard the team has worked over the course of this spring’s offseason program. The Seahawks notably had every single player on their 90-man roster attend at least one of their six voluntary OTA practices, according to ESPN’s Brady Henderson. Most players were on hand for all six voluntary practices, even if they were sitting out or limited due to injuries.

“It was several things, but our guys just did such a great job this offseason in phases one through three (of the NFL’s offseason program), and felt like it was a good time, a good change-up, to go knock this week out of the park,” Macdonald said after Tuesday’s minicamp practice.

“Rookies get to stick around for a little bit longer, (but this gives the veterans) a chance to get a break, get their bodies right, get away and then come back better than ever for training camp.”

Macdonald praised the overall energy and buy-in the team has shown during OTA and minicamp practices. The team will wrap up its two-day minicamp on Wednesday.

“Just really pleased with effort, attitude, intent, spirit,” Macdonald said. “A lot of stuff to work on. We’ve got a long journey ahead of us. But for right now, just really excited about the effort (and) enthusiasm of the team, and it’s a fun group to work with.”

Walker update

Running back Kenneth Walker III has been limited to light drill work in OTA and minicamp practices. Macdonald said Walker is dealing with an ankle issue, but that he “should be fine.” Walker missed six games due to injuries last season, including the final two games with an ankle injury.

‘Mixing and matching’ along the O-line

The Seahawks continued to rotate players at center and right guard, which are expected to be the two open spots along their offensive line.

In recent practices open to the media, that’s generally meant Olu Oluwatimi and Jalen Sundell sharing first-team reps at center, with Christian Haynes and Anthony Bradford splitting first-team reps at right guard.

But Tuesday’s practice also featured Sundell taking some reps at right guard and Haynes taking some reps at center.

“We’re mixing and matching right now,” Macdonald said. “It’s a lot of great competition, and Christian has shown the ability to snap, so we’ve given him some opportunities to do so.”

Another strong day for defense

There wasn’t nearly as much red-zone work on Tuesday as there was in last week’s OTAs, so there were fewer opportunities for touchdowns and highlight-reel plays from the offense. But even with that caveat, it was another strong afternoon for the first-team defense, which continued to provide sticky coverage in the secondary.

That was particularly evident during the lone 11-on-11 red-zone session, when the first-team defense held Sam Darnold & Co. to a field goal. The key play came from cornerback Riq Woolen, who broke up a pass to Marquez Valdes-Scantling in the corner of the end zone.

White continues to shine

Cody White, a sixth-year former undrafted wide receiver, had another good day.

White caught a long touchdown pass from Darnold during a 7-on-7 drill. He hauled in another TD on a slant pass from third-stringer Jalen Milroe. And on a fourth-down play, he made a nice toe-tapping catch along the sideline on a throw from backup Drew Lock.

White figures to be in a crowded battle for the final receiving spots – or spot – behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and rookie fifth-round pick Tory Horton.

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