Back from torn ACL, Seahawks safety AJ Finley set for 1st NFL start

A little over a year ago, AJ Finley was in the mix for a backup safety spot until he tore his ACL in the Seattle Seahawks’ annual training camp practice at Lumen Field.

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It was a crushing blow for a young, former undrafted player who was on the roster bubble.

But Finley knew there was no benefit to stewing in frustration.

“When it happened, I went through every emotion you can imagine,” Finley said last month. “You put in so much work and then it’s taken away from you like that.

“I feel like what I did well was I dealt with it so fast to where the next week when I came in for treatment, I was already over it. Put my best foot forward every day. Getting over it fast was the best thing I did.”

Less than 14 months after the injury, Finley is set to make his first NFL start when the Seahawks face the Washington Commanders on Sunday.

Finley’s opportunity comes amid a carousel of injuries in Seattle’s safety room. Rookie second-round draft pick Bud Clark suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the preseason, Ty Okada remains out with a hamstring injury and now Julian Love is dealing with a calf injury that will sideline him Sunday.

“It’s one of those where you’re really bummed about Julian, obviously, because he’s had such a great start to the season and he’s such a great player,” Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said Friday after indicating that Finley and Rodney Thomas II will man the team’s two primary safety spots against Washington.

“But … I’m just thinking of the journey (Finley) has been on over the last year and the way he’s really gotten his body back and his movement. He had a great practice today and he’s on it. He’s sharp as a whip and he’s a great communicator, ball skills, all those things. So I’m excited for him to have the opportunity.”

Finley, who went undrafted out of Mississippi in 2023, began his NFL career with the Los Angeles Chargers. Playing mostly on special teams, he appeared in 22 games with the Chargers over his first two seasons before they waived him in November 2024.

The Seahawks then quickly swooped in, claiming Finley off waivers the following day. He appeared in each of Seattle’s final four games of 2024, with most of his action again coming on special teams.

After the ACL tear in August 2025, Finley stayed in the Seattle area to rehab. This past March, he re-signed with the Seahawks.

And last month, Finley’s journey came full circle.

During the Seahawks’ 2026 Lumen Field training camp practice – the same exact setting where he tore his ACL the year prior – Finley came up with a juggling interception on an overthrown pass by Sam Darnold.

“It didn’t hit me until I got to the sideline and all the boys were congratulating me,” Finley said following that Aug. 8 practice. “It’s a full-circle moment. Sticking to the process and taking it day to day, it’s been a (heck) of a ride.”

The Seahawks signed Finley from their practice squad to the 53-man roster ahead of their season opener. Finley then made his season debut last week, playing mostly on special teams in Seattle’s rout of the Arizona Cardinals.

Now, he’s set to start for the reigning Super Bowl champions’ “Dark Side” defense.

“I had a coach in college tell me, ‘So, now what?'” Finley said last month. “No matter what happens to you, you have to fight back, you have to adjust. That’s what I did.”

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