Report: Seahawks’ Emmanwori went on PUP list because of surgery

The reason why Seattle Seahawks standout defender Nick Emmanwori was placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list Monday has now been reported.

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Emmanwori had arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle earlier this month and is expected to miss time in training camp but be ready to return for Seattle’s Week 1 Super Bowl rematch with the New England Patriots, according to ESPN’s Brady Henderson.

Henderson reported the team was aware Emmanwori might need surgery on his ankle after suffering two separate injuries to it last season, and that the second-year safety attempted to manage his ankle over the offseason but experienced soreness in his ramp up for training camp.

Emmanwori suffered a high ankle sprain in the Seahawks’ Week 1 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, which kept him out for three games. He also suffered a low ankle sprain just four days before the Super Bowl but was able to play through the injury. He played 98.6% of the team’s defensive snaps (70) in the Super Bowl win over the Patriots.

A second-round pick in the 2025 draft, Emmanwori emerged as a versatile defensive playmaker during a breakout rookie season, registering 11 passes defended, nine tackles for loss and an interception in 14 regular-season games. He finished second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.

Emmanwori is one of five Seahawks currently on the PUP list, a group that also includes running backs Zach Charbonnet and Kenny McIntosh, wide receiver Tyrone Broden and defensive tackle Deven Eastern.

Players on the PUP list are eligible to return at any point during the preseason. If they remain on the PUP list after rosters are cut down to 53 players, they must miss a minimum of four games before returning.

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