Pete Carroll on Malik McDowell: ‘It’s going to take a while to figure it out’
Aug 3, 2017, 1:43 PM | Updated: 3:12 pm
Here was Pete Carroll on Malik McDowell, who has reported. Said it's still too early to know about his availability for this season. pic.twitter.com/VCFnwrd97s
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) August 3, 2017
RENTON – The Seahawks made a roster move involving rookie Malik McDowell, placing him on the non-football injury list, but offered no clarity on the type of injuries he suffered, how he suffered them or when he might be back.
From the way Seattle coach Pete Carroll sounded after Thursday’s practice, don’t expect definitive answers any time soon.
“I really don’t have much to report for you,” Carroll said, “but it’s going to take a while to figure it out.”
Reading between the lines of Seahawks statement on McDowell
McDowell arrived in Seattle on Tuesday and is in the process of being examined by the team’s medical staff and undergoing further tests.
“He’s doing all kinds of appointments and stuff to make sure that we know exactly what’s going on,” Carroll said.
McDowell was placed on the Reserve/Did Not Report list when training camp began on Sunday, a logistical move that did not count against the 90-man roster limit. On Wednesday, the team released long-snapper Nolan Frese, clearing a spot on the 90-man roster for McDowell.
McDowell has been placed on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list and was not on the field for any part of Seattle’s practice Thursday. He counts against the 90-man roster limit, and it does open the possibility that Seattle could choose not to pay McDowell for time missed because of an injury suffered away from the game. That is not automatic, however. In 2005, the Seahawks placed safety Ken Hamlin on the NFI list after he suffered a skull fracture in an altercation outside a nightclub, but they still paid him according to his contract as Mike Holmgren, who coached the team at the time, pointed out Hamlin was a victim in the incident.
Carroll declined to specify the type of vehicle McDowell was in at the time of his accident. He would not specify the nature of the injuries suffered or even the area of McDowell’s body that was affected.
“We’re just not saying anything right now,” Carroll said. “We’re just staying out of it.”
Michael Bennett was asked for his reaction to McDowell’s injury.
“I’m just hoping that he’s OK,” Bennett said. “I think at the end of the day it’s really not about football at this point. It’s really about his longevity and life and I think to make sure that his brain is good, make sure everything is good.”
That could take some time by the sound of things from Seattle’s coach.
“It’s very disappointing,” Carroll said, “and there’s nothing we can do about it right now but just take the time to assess and figure out what this all means.”
