Even in limited snaps, Seahawks’ Emmanwori makes ‘impact’ in return

Standout safety Nick Emmanwori made his return from July ankle surgery on Sunday, playing nine defensive snaps in the Seattle Seahawks’ 31-7 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

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Head coach Mike Macdonald said the Seahawks wanted to ease the 2025 Defensive Rookie of the Year runner-up back into action after he missed the season opener.

“It was great for him to get the confidence back, get him moving, get a couple rushes in, which was cool,” Macdonald said. “So we should be really accelerating into next week.”

Emmanwori’s most impactful play came in the final minute of the first half, when he blitzed off the edge on a third-and-4. Emmanwori drew two blockers on the play – star tight end Trey McBride and right tackle Elijah Wilkinson – and forced quarterback Jacoby Brissett to slide up into the pocket before throwing the ball away.

That was one of four pass rush snaps for Emmanwori, according to Pro Football Focus. That’s a notable uptick from his rookie season last year, when he rushed the passer on just 72 of his 944 defensive snaps.

Macdonald hinted over the summer that he might deploy Emmanwori as a pass rusher more often this fall.

“He had some explosion,” former NFL quarterback Brock Huard said during Monday’s Blue 88 segment on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk. “There wasn’t much of a move, but he got upfield in a hurry, and I think Jacoby Brissett felt him, because he had to step up in that pocket.”

Emmanwori also had a tackle. And overall, Huard felt the 6-foot-3, 220-pound hybrid defender’s presence stood out, even with limited snaps.

“He was out in his normal big-nickel spot just taking away space,” Huard said. “Jacoby missed a throw and (the commentators) were like, yeah, he didn’t miss that throw earlier. Well, yeah, that’s what happens when 6-3 with length is on the field. That window that you’re supposed to throw (in) looks different. That window changes. The shades come down. And you’re like, I don’t know where to throw against that guy.

“So even though it was a half-dozen or so snaps, you start to feel his impact. And you know more, and more, and more is coming with him.”

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