What stood out from Seahawks’ preseason opener

SEATTLE – The reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks opened their 2026 preseason slate with a 17-7 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday night at Lumen Field.

Recap | Box score

Most of Seattle’s starters watched from the sideline, as is typically the case in a preseason opener. But that doesn’t mean the game was without intrigue. What stood out? Here are some observations.

Knight makes presence felt

Linebacker Tyrice Knight was all over the field, recording two pass breakups and 10 tackles in the first half. On Dallas’ opening series, Knight provided tight coverage on wide receiver Anthony Smith for a third-down pass breakup. And later in the half, Knight delivered a punishing hit on tight end Michael Trigg for another pass breakup.

Big knight for Tyrice Knight 🫣 pic.twitter.com/bQygR9dDLS

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) August 16, 2026

Knight, a 2024 fourth-round draft pick with 13 career starts, lost his starting job to Drake Thomas early last season. But more than anything, that was a product of Thomas’ stellar play. And when Thomas missed a Week 10 game due to injury, Knight rose to the occasion with two forced fumbles – both of which resulted in DeMarcus Lawrence scoop-and-score touchdowns.

Head coach Mike Macdonald has found creative ways to get players on the field in the past. And as a starting-caliber backup, Knight certainly fits the bill of a player who could force his way into more snaps.

A mixed bag for Milroe

Third-string quarterback Jalen Milroe, whose tantalizing athleticism makes him an intriguing long-term developmental project, had a mixed performance to begin his second preseason campaign. He completed 5 of 8 passes for 36 yards and ran five times for 36 yards, but also took three sacks and fumbled a snap exchange from backup center Olu Oluwatimi.

Milroe twice showed off his blazing speed, scrambling for a 12-yard gain to convert a third down and then later racing free for a 20-yard gain. He also made a nice side-armed completion while running to his left and throwing across his body. But the lowlight came on a fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line, when he took a shotgun snap and initially eluded pressure off the edge before slipping to the ground for a sack.

Foster keeps making plays

Second-year wideout Montorie Foster Jr. built on a strong training camp with five catches for 36 yards and a touchdown. His scoring grab came on Seattle’s opening drive, when he fought through a defensive pass interference penalty to haul in a 5-yard TD. He also got open down the left sideline with an excellent stop-and-go route, but backup quarterback Drew Lock overthrew him for a potential walk-in TD.

Foster, who went undrafted out of Michigan State, spent most of last fall as a substitute teacher in Ohio before signing with Seattle’s practice squad last December. He has a steep path to a roster spot in the Seahawks’ crowded wide receiver room, but he’s doing his part to stay in the mix.

Drew Lock throws a DART for 6️⃣

DALvsSEA on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/Fo71Mi1DIq

— NFL (@NFL) August 16, 2026

Cornerback watch

One of the few question marks on Seattle’s deep and talented roster is the No. 3 cornerback spot, which is up for grabs after Riq Woolen’s departure in free agency.

Among the top contenders for the CB3 job, free agent addition Noah Igbinoghene appeared to help himself the most. The former Miami Dolphins first-round pick provided textbook coverage on a deep ball down the sideline in the first half, walling off veteran Marquez Valdes-Scantling for an incompletion.

Third-year pro Nehemiah Pritchett, who currently is Igbinoghene’s top challenger, didn’t have any flash plays and gave up a third-down completion. And rookie third-round pick Julian Neal, who was expected to factor into the competition, remained sidelined with an undisclosed injury that’s kept him out most of camp.

Extra points

• Second-year edge rusher Jalan Gaines flashed during a two-play sequence in the third quarter. The undrafted Illinois State product recorded a tackle for loss and then nearly got a sack on the next play when he raced off the edge forced the quarterback out of the pocket.

• Undrafted rookie wideout Rashad Rochelle had a 52-yard punt return in the third quarter.

Seattle Seahawks news and more

• Report: Seahawks make Devon Witherspoon NFL’s highest-paid CB
• Macdonald: Seattle Seahawks did ‘due diligence’ on CB Terrion Arnold
• Seahawks’ DeMarcus Lawrence says 2026 will be his final season

Related

Recap: Seahawks fall to Cowboys 17-7 in preseason openerSeattle Sports Radio Info: How to find Saturday’s Seahawks, Mariners gamesSeahawks WR Tory Horton elaborates on last year’s ‘weird’ injuryReport: Seahawks make Devon Witherspoon NFL’s highest-paid CBSeahawks’ DeMarcus Lawrence says 2026 will be his final seasonMacdonald: Seahawks did ‘due diligence’ on CB Terrion Arnold