Seahawks takeaways: Roster moves, slow starts, and an impressive outing for RBs on Day 1
Jul 26, 2018, 2:33 PM | Updated: 3:12 pm
Pete Carroll spoke to reporters Thursday for the first time since the Seahawks' six-week break. (AP)
(AP)
The Seahawks kicked off their 2018 training camp Thursday. Injury updates were the story of the day, given that reporters had their first conversation with head coach Pete Carroll in nearly six weeks.
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Here are a few other takeaways from Day 1:
1. Yes, Earl Thomas is still holding out.
Earl Thomas has officially carried his holdout into training camp. The All-Pro free safety was absent from team activities Thursday.
“He should be here, and he’s not,” head coach Pete Carroll told reporters after practice. “So it’s really about the guys that are here now. And we’re going to keep moving and grooving and putting it together. It’s unfortunate.”
Getting first-team reps in Thomas’ place was second-year pro Tedric Thompson. Bradley McDougald, who played in relief of both Kam Chancellor and Thomas last season, took over at strong safety. Cornerbacks Byron Maxwell and Shaquill Griffin filled out the rest of the starting secondary.
2. A few key players are being “eased in.”
Both of Seattle’s starting defensive ends are being eased into camp.
Frank Clark had a (newly-disclosed) operation on his wrist earlier this summer and was held out of the latter portion of practice after participating in warmups.
Dion Jordan was expected to be a late starter in camp after undergoing a procedure on his knee earlier this spring. However, Carroll told reporters Jordan – who did not participate in practice – is dealing with a separate issue and will be placed on the PUP list (along with TE Clayton Wilson and CB Dontae Johnson).
“(Jordan has) an issue that we’re working on right now,” Carroll said. “It’s going to be a few weeks with him before we’ll be able to get him back out.”
Tight end Ed Dickson suffered a recent groin injury and has been placed on the Non-Football Injury list. Wide receiver Brandon Marshall (ankle/toe) was also limited.
“Brandon worked today,” Carroll said. “We’re going to ramp him up. He’s ready for camp but we want to make sure we bring him in (carefully).”
In better news for Seattle, offensive lineman George Fant, recovering from a season-ending ACL injury, is expected to return to practice.
“George is going to be maybe four or five days here before he’s ready to go. He’s full go, but we’re just holding him back a little bit.”
3. Chris Carson continues to impress.
Running back Chris Carson continued his strong offseason Thursday, splitting first-team reps with Seattle’s 2018 first-round pick Rashaad Penny. Carson, who put on 10 pounds of muscle through his work with a trainer, was speedy and, by all outward appearances, unaffected by the lower leg injury that ended his season in Week 4 of last year.
Other news: The Seahawks Thursday waived defensive tackle Malik McDowell and cornerback DeAndre Elliott, and placed safety Kam Chancellor on the Reserve/PUP list, officially ending his season. The team added a trio of tight ends, signing Kayaune Ross and Je’Ron Hamm and adding former Giants TE Kyle Carter off waivers.
