RENTON — The Seahawks could learn more about Chris Carson’s status later this week, as the team also welcomed a new receiver on Monday and detailed a new role for a key young defensive player.
These are among the things we learned on Monday during the team’s first OTA (organized team activity) at VMAC.
Team learns more about Carson as Penny treats hamstring issue
Seattle had neither of its two best veteran running backs on the field for Monday’s OTA.
One was expected – Carson, who is continuing to rehab after neck surgery last year. One was more of a surprise if not necessarily a concern at this point – Rashaad Penny, who held off to deal with what coach Pete Carroll said was “a little hamstring thing that is always tight”.
That left most of the work back to veterans DeeJay Dallas and Travis Homer as well as rookie second-round pick Ken Walker III.
The fact that the team does not know if Carson will be available this year helped draft Walker, who was taken 41st globally.
Asked about Carson, Carroll said Monday that “Chris is around. I will know more during the week. I have no update for you.
Carroll has previously said the team likely won’t know anything definitive about Carson before training camp and it’s unclear if Carroll’s statement on Monday meant more clarity on his long-term status could come soon or just a routine update.
Carson is in the second season of a contract signed in the spring of 2021 that included a guaranteed $5.5 million. Seattle could save $3.1 million off the cap if released.
Seattle re-signed Penny in March to a one-year deal worth $5.47 million after his spirited end to the 2021 season that included finishing averaging 6.3 yards per carry, a top of the NFL.
But Penny has also dealt with numerous injuries over the course of her career, playing 37 games in the previous four seasons and just 13 in the past two years.
This story makes any suggestion of an injury for Penny somewhat frowning. But it’s also only May, and Carroll noted that Penny was able to do some substantial conditioning work.
“We’re just making sure he’s okay,” Carroll said. “He’s been training and he’s conditioned really well today – he’s running and flying all over the place. But not ready to get where he can’t control the tempo.
Seahawks add fast receiver
Seattle officially signed 31-year-old wide receiver Marquise Goodwin on Monday and he entered wearing the No. 15 jersey.
Carroll noted that one of the reasons for bringing in Goodwin is his familiarity with Sanjay Lal, who returned to Seattle’s coaching staff this offseason as receivers coach and passing play coordinator. Lal coached Goodwin for two years with Buffalo in 2015-16. Carroll also praised the speed of Goodwin, who was an All-American on track at the University of Texas as a two-time NCAA long jump champion and made the 2012 Olympic team. in this event, and ran a 4.27 40 in the combine in 2013.
“Well, we have some experience with him in that Sanjay has coached him before and they have a relationship which has given us some insight,” Carroll said. “He’s extraordinarily fast, he’s a gifted athlete, he’s been here from day one and still shows he can fly. He’s a real disciplined road runner and he’s also a guy who’s played in all the spots, so I think he’s going to add something with, a, what he brings athletically, but also his background and his makeup and his versatility. as he goes through it I’m not asking him to be a mentor to anyone but Sanjay will use him accordingly to demonstrate things and do things that he has coached over the years that Marquise can do. I’m excited, every time someone brings something unique, which this guy is historically very, very quick. We’ve played against him and we have respect for him for all of that. We’ve really thought, seriously, of recruiting him at the time, so we are happy to do so.
Brooks will assume defensive call-to-play duties
While Cody Barton replaced center linebacker and called plays when Bobby Wagner missed all but one of the final two games of the 2021 season, those duties will now fall to third-year linebacker Jordyn Brooks.
Carroll confirmed on Monday that Brooks will wear the green dot on his helmet which means he has the communication device to relay play calls from coaches to players on the field.
“He has to decide and he’s going to make the adjustments,” Carroll said.
Brooks and Barton played inside linebacker roles with the first-team defense throughout Monday’s practice, although their roles appear to be changing some from last season with the shift to a pattern favoring a 3- 4.
Remarks
- On May 14, Carroll received an honorary doctorate from the University of the Pacific. “It was very special,” said Carroll, who earned a bachelor of science in business administration in 1973 and a master’s in physical education in 1978. “Really proud to be a part of it.”
- Rookie cornerback Coby Bryant missed practice to deal with a personal issue, but Carroll said he should be back Wednesday. Rookie Corner Tariq woolwho participated in field drills during rookie minicamp with a hamstring problem, was able to get some work done on Monday.
- OTAs are voluntary and among those who did not participate on Monday was a veteran guard Gabe Jackson and defensive tackle Al Woods. Carroll, when asked about their absence, said they would be back for the mandatory minicamp next month. Without Jackson, fourth-year player Phil Haynes worked with the No. 1 offense at right guard. The rest of the starting offensive line featured the No. 1 pick Charles Cross at left tackle, Damien Lewis on the left guard, Austin Blythe in the center and Jake Curhan at right tackle. Third round pick Abe Lucas worked with second team at right tackle and second year player Peter Forsythe with the second team at left tackle.
- A handful of other injured players were also not present, including WR DK Metcalfsecurities Whenre Diggs, jamal adams and Marquise Blair and cornerback Tre Brown. Carroll said Adams, Brown and Diggs will be in attendance for minicamp June 7-9.