K.J. Wright: Russell Wilson Wasn't Held to 'Same Accountability' as Rest of Seahawks
Sep 21, 2022
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 02: Russell Wilson, left, and K.J. Wright #50 of the Seattle Seahawks look to meet Minnesota Vikings players after the game at CenturyLink Field on December 02, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Seahawks won, 37-30. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
Despite the team's long run of success during Russell Wilson's 10 seasons as the starting quarterback, it's not hard to find former Seattle Seahawks teammates who will go on the record about issues they had with how he was treated compared to them.
Appearing on Richard Sherman's podcast, former Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright explained that Wilson "wasn't held to the same accountability" standard as everyone else on the roster.
"He was not held to the same accountability as the rest of us"
There have been indications over the years that multiple members of the Seahawks, particularly during the Legion of Boom era, were not happy with the treatment they received compared to Wilson.
In a September 2018 story for Sports Illustrated, Greg Bishop and Robert Klemko noted the season after the Seahawks won the Super Bowl, 2014, marked the beginning of the end for the franchise's run of dominance.
One member of the Seahawks at the time told Bishop and Klemko that head coach Pete Carroll "protected" Wilson and they "hated" it.
"Any time he f--ked up," the player said, "Pete would never say anything. Not in a team meeting, not publicly, never. If Russ had a terrible game, he would always talk about how resilient he was. We’re like, what the f--k are you talking about?"
The Seahawk player also used an analogy of a pack of wolves to describe the difference in treatment between Wilson and everyone else: "It’s as if Carroll sent his pack out to hunt but kept one wolf back, and that wolf still ate when the others returned with food."
In the wake of Seattle's 17-16 Week 1 win over the Denver Broncos in Wilson's first game after being traded, players from the previous era of Seahawks football were quick to make posts on social media apparently directed at the star quarterback:
Despite the frustration expressed by Wright and Sherman on the podcast, it's not unusual for teams to go out of their way to protect a franchise quarterback in any way possible.
The Seahawks from 2012 to 2016 might be the last team in the current era of the NFL that can say it was genuinely led by the defense. That group led the league in points allowed for four consecutive years from 2012 to 2015 and ranked third in 2016.
Wilson wasn't always the driving force of the offense, especially in his first couple of seasons, because Marshawn Lynch was at running back. But he had several key moments for the team in those early years. He was instrumental in Seattle's fourth-quarter comebacks in NFC Championship Game wins over the San Francisco 49ers in 2013 and Green Bay Packers in 2014.
Would the Seahawks have even gotten to the Super Bowl in those years without Wilson? It's always hard to try giving individuals credit for a team's success, even if it sounds like Wright and Sherman simply wanted Wilson to be given the same treatment they got.
Pete Carroll Told Seahawks 'It's Possible' for SEA to Go Undefeated Like '72 Dolphins
Sep 18, 2022
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 12: Head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks looks on before a game against the Denver Broncos at Lumen Field on September 12, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jane Gershovich/Getty Images)
Some might have been surprised to see the Seattle Seahawks open the 2022 NFL season with a victory over the Denver Broncos. One man who wasn't was Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Carroll spoke to his team about the 50th anniversary of the Miami Dolphins' perfect season in 1972. He didn't call his shot but said "it's possible" for the 2022 Seahawks to match that feat.
Per Schefter, Carroll pointed to his success at USC as evidence in his favor.
The Trojans went 13-0 in 2004 and were 12-0 to start the 2005 season before losing to Texas in the Rose Bowl. It largely goes without saying, though, that running the table is easier at the college level than in the NFL.
The fact no NFL team since the '72 Dolphins have gone unbeaten speaks to the enormity of the challenge, one that has become even more difficult with the addition of a 17th regular-season game.
Carroll's comment to his players is the kind of thing that will either look prophetic or become regular fodder for fans and analysts.
Nobody really expects the Seahawks to be perfect. In the event they at least make the playoffs, many will point to Carroll's confidence as an ingredient in the franchise far exceeding expectations.
On the other hand, the 71-year-old will face plenty of mockeries if Seattle's fortunes rapidly turn around and it suffers its second losing season in a row. Internally, being relentlessly positive can backfire, too, when the results don't follow.
The Seahawks' unblemished start may not extend for much longer considering they have a difficult game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2.
Seahawks' Jamal Adams Reportedly to Have Season-Ending Surgery on Quad Injury
Sep 15, 2022
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 12: Jamal Adams #33 of the Seattle Seahawks is carted off the field with an injury during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Lumen Field on September 12, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams is reportedly expected to miss the remainder of the 2022 season with a quad injury.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Thursday that Adams will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn quad tendon.
Adams suffered the injury during Seattle's 17-16 season-opening win over the Denver Broncos on Monday night on just his 15th snap of the game.
Prior to exiting, Adams had three tackles, one pass defended and one quarterback hit on former teammate Russell Wilson.
The 26-year-old Adams has long been viewed as one of the best pass-rushing defensive backs in football, although he expanded his game a bit last season.
Originally the sixth overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft by the New York Jets, Adams was traded to Seattle in 2020 for a package that included two first-round picks.
In three seasons with the Jets, Adams was a two-time Pro Bowler and one-time first-team All-Pro. He also earned a Pro Bowl nod during his first season with the Seahawks in 2020 when he registered 83 tackles and 9.5 sacks despite missing four games.
The 9.5 sacks were a single-season NFL record by a defensive back. Adams broke the record of eight previously held by Adrian Wilson.
Last season, Adams didn't have a single sack for the first time in his career, but he finished with 87 tackles and a career-high two interceptions in 12 games.
Injuries have been an issue for Adams during his career, as he is set to miss time for the fourth consecutive season.
After playing in all 16 games in each of his first two NFL campaigns, Adams missed two games in 2019, four games in 2020 and five games last season. Now he is poised to miss 16 games in 2022.
Fellow Pro Bowl safety Quandre Diggs will be the unquestioned leader of Seattle's secondary during Adams' absence, but finding a replacement will be difficult.
Veteran Josh Jones played the bulk of the snaps after Adams got injured on Monday, and he is the top candidate to serve as Seattle's starter next to Diggs.
Pete Carroll: Win vs. Russell Wilson 'Really Rewarding' for Former Seahawks Teammates
Sep 14, 2022
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 12: Head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks (L) and Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos shake hands after the Seahawks defeated the Broncos 17-16 at Lumen Field on September 12, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete
Carroll said Monday night's win over Russell Wilson and
the Denver Broncos was "really rewarding" to the team's
former players.
Carroll pointed to the high number of
Hawks icons, including Marshawn Lynch and Richard Sherman, who were
in attendance for the season-opening game during an appearance
Tuesday on KIRO radio (via ESPN's Brady Henderson).
"I wanted to win for all of the
reasons that come along with this one," he said. "Maybe as much
as anything is representing the guys that have played before. It
meant a lot to those guys. I was so thrilled to be able to hug those
guys up and see them and look them in the eye."
When asked to expand on why it meant so
much to Wilson's former Seattle teammates, the longtime coach was
reluctant to yield much information.
"Eh, you figure that out,"
Carroll said. "But it was really meaningful and they really
wanted it and I knew we were playing for a lot more than just the
regular stuff. We have a real connection with the history. ... They
feel it and they love the fact that they played here and they love
seeing us do well. On this night, they realized there was a big
opportunity and a big statement to be made: The game isn't about an
individual player here or there. It's about team. This is the
ultimate team sport and it's been stated so many times before. It
takes everybody."
It's become clear there was a lot of
behind-the-scenes drama leading up to Wilson's departure in a March
trade to the Broncos.
Although the cracks in the relationship
between Wilson and the organization started to show through in early
2021, when the future Hall of Fame QB when on a media tour to air his
grievances with the franchise, it seemingly dates back far longer than that.
Baldwin, another former Hawks player in
attendance Monday night, previously told Henderson those on the
inside knew a breakup was coming for a while.
"From my vantage point, the
divorce was inevitable and was many years in the making," he said. "The reasons are multiple, but ultimately, I think it comes down to
a difference of pursuits."
So while the sides enjoyed plenty of
success together, highlighted by winning the Super Bowl XLVIII title
at the end of the 2013 season, the partnership kept trending in the
wrong direction over the past few years.
Even the Seahawks fans gave Wilson
a rude welcome for his return to Lumen Field:
Perhaps it was the cleansing moment the
franchise needed to wash away the drama of recent years and move toward a new era. And, even though Carroll stopped short of any juicy soundbites, his message about the win's importance wasn't shielded.
The storyline probably won't have much
legs moving forward since the teams play in opposite conferences, but
that doesn't mean the emotion from Monday's victory can't help propel
the Seahawks in the weeks ahead. Seattle has an NFC West matchup Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.
Meanwhile, it's clear Wilson and the
Broncos have a lot of work to do if they're going to emerge as a
threat amid an AFC West race jam-packed with contenders.
Jamal Adams' 'Serious' Knee Injury Will Require Surgery, Seahawks' Pete Carroll Says
Sep 13, 2022
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 12: Jamal Adams #33 of the Seattle Seahawks is carted off the field during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Lumen Field on September 12, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jane Gershovich/Getty Images)
The Seattle Seahawks will be without one of their key defensive players for the foreseeable future.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said Tuesday that Adams will need surgery after suffering a significant knee injury in Monday night's season opener against the Denver Broncos.
"Yeah, he's hurt," Carroll told Seattle Sports 710-AM (h/t ESPN's Brady Henderson). "He hurt his knee and he's going to have to get some work on that. I don't know the extent of it yet, but I know it's serious."
Adams was carted off in the second quarter of Seattle's 17-16 victory after he was injured while blitzing Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson, his former Seahawks teammate. Adams limped off the field and was visibly favoring his left leg. He was examined in the medical tent before he was helped onto the cart and driven into the locker room.
"It just breaks your heart," Carroll said. "He loves the game so much. We're going to miss him so much."
After missing just two games in his first three NFL seasons while he was with the New York Jets, Adams has been bitten by the injury bug in recent years. He missed four games in 2020 with a groin injury and then sat out the final five games of last season due to a torn labrum in his shoulder that required surgery.
Adams also was forced to miss time early in training camp this year because of a broken finger. He's underwent finger surgeries in each of the last two offseasons.
This latest setback is especially disappointing for Adams, who was hoping to have a bounce-back performance this season. In his debut season for Seattle in 2020, he was selected to his third straight Pro Bowl after setting an NFL record for a defensive back with 9.5 sacks. However, he was held without a sack in 12 games in 2021 before his season came to an end early.
"The fact that he is such a heartthrob about the game of football, he loves playing and he just can't deal with it right now about 'how could this keep happening?'" Carroll said. "It was good he had his mom and dad in the locker room really during the game when he was in there to kind of help him through it and all that, but it was really tough. So I hope everybody sends the love to him."
Russell Wilson Isn't Good Enough to Overcome Nathaniel Hackett, Broncos' Deficiencies
Sep 13, 2022
Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) passes for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 12, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Murphy's Law should be renamed Russell Wilson's Law after the Seattle Seahawks traded their all-time leading passer to the Denver Broncos this offseason and the quarterback's disastrous return to Seattle on Monday.
As the adage states, everything that could go wrong did go wrong.
Wilson wasn't the primary reason behind the Broncos' surprising 17-16 loss, but he certainly wasn't enough to overcome all the problems in their performance. The mistakes made at every level were simply staggering.
Penalties, miscues, turnovers, red-zone impotence, clock-management issues and shoddy communication all played a part in the outcome.
Wilson remains a very good quarterback. But his former backup, Geno Smith, outplayed him for a significant portion of the game, particularly the first half. Wilson showed his transition to a new team will take longer than expected and feature significant bumps along the way.
Despite everything, the Broncos still had a chance to win. First-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett, however, took the ball out of his quarterback's hands on fourth down with the game on the line—his first crucial call—after inexplicably letting the clock wind down.
Instead, Brandon McManus' 64-yard attempt sailed wide left. The 31-year-old kicker has one of the league's strongest legs, but he should have never been placed in that position. According to Football Outsiders, the Broncos' chances to win the game would have increased by nearly 30 percentage points if they had attempted a pass rather than a field goal. As ESPN's Ed Werder noted, McManus is now 1-of-8 when asked to convert a kick of 60 or more yards.
The Broncos traded two first-round picks, two second-round picks, a fifth-round pick, quarterback Drew Lock, defensive lineman Shelby Harris and tight end Noah Fant to acquire the Super Bowl XLVIII winner and one of the league's best at creating in the moment plus a fourth-round pick. Wilson is the franchise. He's the one who's supposed to lead the team to greater success.
None of that seemed to matter the first time the Broncos needed someone to make a play and win a game. Quite frankly, it's embarrassing for everyone involved in the decision.
"I was surprised they took Russ out at the end," Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll told reporters after the game. "We weren't thinking field goal there. We were thinking they were going. It gave us a chance to win the game on that play. Very fortunate there."
The clock continued to (in your best Chris Berman voice) tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick. Denver had the ball with about a minute to go. The Broncos stared at 4th-and-5. The offense huddled, went to the line, ran the play clock all the way down and then called timeout. What a waste.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 12: Head coach Nathaniel Hackett of the Denver Broncos looks on against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on September 12, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Hackett only made matters worse afterward when he explained the reason behind his decision.
"Fourth-and-6 for me at that time, we weren't moving it in big chunks," he told reporters. "I think we had just given up a sack right before that, so I wanted to be sure we took a chance when we had a chance. And we were confident in [McManus]."
D'oh. Rookie head coach indirectly provides indictment of his quarterback's play without correctly remembering the sequence of plays. Wilson wasn't sacked on third down. Instead, Javonte Williams had the drive's biggest gain of nine yards on a swing pass from Wilson. (That came after Williams lost four yards on another reception and Wilson threw an incompletion.) Afterward, the quarterback toed the company line.
Said Wilson: "I don't think it was the wrong decision to go for the field goal. We have the best kicker in the game."
Wilson completed 69 percent of his passes and threw for 340 yards. Still, the effort wasn't good enough. Even in the moments when the offense seemingly got on track, his timing and touch weren't all there.
The biggest play of the night was a 67-yard touchdown pass to Jerry Jeudy. Even in that instance, Wilson woefully underthrew the pass. Jeudy was three yards behind his defender when Wilson released the ball. If rookie Coby Bryant—who didn't turn his head in time to make a play on the ball—hadn't been in coverage, the throw could have been easily deflected.
THE PASS, THE CATCH 💰
Russ connects with Jerry Jeudy for his first TD as a Bronco 🤝
A couple of other misses occurred when Wilson tried to push the ball down the field. The quarterback is known for his deep passing. It's not automatic, though. New receivers, a new scheme and limited reps mean the players need time to coalesce.
Throughout the night, Hackett and Wilson seemed to struggle with the mechanics of down-by-down play-calling, too. The offense didn't get to the line until there were well under 10 seconds left on the play clock on numerous occasions.
Officials called 12 penalties on the Broncos for 106 yards. Three of those happened to be false starts with two more delay of games.
Denver did move the ball, even with the uphill climb the penalties created.
The Broncos outgained the Seahawks 433-253. Wilson and Co. continually stalled near the end zone. Denver had the ball in the red zone four times and came away with six points. The offense reached the 1-yard line twice and fumbled both times. According to ESPN Stats & Info, Denver was the first team to do so in the last 35 years. The Broncos ran the ball three times in the red zone and tallied minus-four yards before contact, per Pro Football Focus.
Ball security is one thing. An offensive line that gets blown off the line of scrimmage will be a much bigger concern as the season progresses.
On defense, the Broncos didn't have much of an answer for the Seahawks' multitude of tight ends. The trio of Fant, Colby Parkinson and Will Dissly combined to make eight catches for 102 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Opposing tight ends should give Denver problems all season because its linebackers can be exploited.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 12: Geno Smith #7 of the Seattle Seahawks (L) and Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos shake hands before a game at Lumen Field on September 12, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jane Gershovich/Getty Images)
All this happened in Seattle. Yes, the story of Wilson's return to where he played his previous 10 seasons will capture headlines. But the reality may be much dimmer than the Broncos faithful may want to acknowledge.
The Seahawks aren't a good football team. Entering Monday's contest, they were among the teams with the lowest win totals. Smith played far better than expected, and the defense flew to the football. But Seattle isn't anything like the murderer's row of the AFC West.
Can Wilson be expected to compete with the Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes, Los Angeles Chargers' Justin Herbert and Las Vegas Raiders' Derek Carr when he was just outdone by his former backup?
Essentially, the Broncos sank multiple draft assets, three contributors and a $245 million contract extension into the division's third-best quarterback. Denver must rectify the issues seen throughout Monday's contest, and it will need everything to go right to even compete with the AFC's heavyweights. Wilson can't do it alone.
Brent Sobleski covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, @brentsobleski.
NFL Twitter Loving Geno Smith's Epic Response to Critics Writing Him Off
Sep 13, 2022
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 12: Geno Smith #7 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates during the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Lumen Field on September 12, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith surprised many by leading his team to a 17-16 win over the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football.
After the victory, Smith had a succinct message for his critics: "They wrote me off. I ain't write back, though!"
"That's off the dome right there," Smith said, per The Athletic's Michael-Shawn Dugar. "That's straight bars right there."
Smith was at his best in Monday's victory, finishing 23-of-28 for 195 yards and two touchdowns. He completed his first 13 passes and went 17-of-19 in the first half alone.
A 10-year veteran, Smith has had a unique NFL career. After a stellar run at West Virginia, he was projected to be one of the most coveted quarterback prospects in the 2013 draft. However, he fell out of the first round after he reportedly rubbed some teams the wrong way during the predraft process. The New York Jets selected him with a second-round pick.
Starting immediately for a rebuilding team, Smith struggled mightily as a rookie and threw 12 touchdowns with 21 interceptions. His sophomore season wasn't much better, as he threw 13 scores and 13 picks. Smith's third season in 2015 was derailed when he suffered a broken jaw during a locker room altercation with defensive end IK Enemkpali over a $600 unpaid debt. He suffered a torn ACL the following year.
Smith spent time as a backup for the Los Angeles Chargers and New York Giants before signing with the Seahawks in 2020, where he revitalized his career. He appeared in four games in 2021 with three starts and threw for 702 yards, five touchdowns and an interception.
The 31-year-old was named the starter for the 2022 season after beating Drew Lock in a quarterback competition this offseason. Monday's performance proved that Seattle made the right decision.
The Seahawks will be back in action Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.
Geno Smith Impresses NFL Twitter as Seahawks Beat Broncos in Russell Wilson's Return
Sep 13, 2022
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 12: Geno Smith #7 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates during the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Lumen Field on September 12, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
It might have taken 10 seasons, but it looks like Geno Smith finally unlocked his potential.
The veteran quarterback led the Seattle Seahawks to a 17-16 win over the Denver Broncos in a 2022 season opener on Monday Night Football. Smith put forth one of the best outings of his NFL career, finishing 23-of-28 for 195 yards and two touchdowns.
The 31-year-old was nearly immaculate in the first half, completing his first 13 passes. He showcased why he was named Seattle's starter over Drew Lock, who was acquired as part of the blockbuster offseason trade that sent longtime Seahawks signal-caller Russell Wilson to the Broncos. Wilson finished 29-of-42 for 340 yards and a touchdown.
Smith's performance drew massive praise on social media, with many believing he finally reached the form that was expected of him coming out of West Virginia in 2013.
Geno Smith started the night by completing his first 13 pass attempts.
Per @EliasSports, the only other quarterbacks since 1990 to complete each of their first 13 passes in Week 1 are Gardner Minshew (2019) and Jim Kelly (1990). pic.twitter.com/F1uLh2LGSR
I’m genuinely happy for Geno Smith because Black QBs rarely get second chances to start if the first one doesn’t go well, even if it’s not all on them, and he’s showing out tonight.
The last time Smith was a full-time starter was during his first two seasons in the NFL when he was with the New York Jets. Those were a couple of dreadful years, but he showed in recent seasons that he matured into a dependable player.
Smith filled in admirably when Wilson went down with a finger injury last season. In four games with three starts, Smith threw for 702 yards and five touchdowns against one interception, completing 68.4 percent of his passes.
If Smith can continue playing like he did Monday, the Seahawks will surprise. Seattle was expected to be in a rebuild, but Smith proved he can lead the team to success.
Smith and the Seahawks will try to keep the momentum going Sunday in an NFC West matchup at the San Francisco 49ers.
Seahawks' Jamal Adams Suffered 'Serious' Quad Injury vs. Broncos, Pete Carroll Says
Sep 13, 2022
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 21: Jamal Adams #33 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field on November 21, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams suffered a "serious" quad injury during Monday night's 17-16 victory over the Denver Broncos, head coach Pete Carroll told reporters after the game.
Adam Jude of the Seattle Times noted during the game that he was carted away from the trainer's tent as he left the field in a scene that "does not look good."
It didn't take long for Seattle's defense to miss him, as Russell Wilson found Jerry Jeudy for a 67-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter when he was off the field.
Durability has been something of a concern for Adams of late after he appeared in 12 games in each of the last two seasons.
The Seahawks sent the New York Jets two first-round draft picks as part of the trade package to land Adams ahead of the 2020 season, and he was a Pro Bowler in his first year with the NFC West team.
However, his stretch of three straight Pro Bowls ended in 2021 as he tallied 87 tackles, five passes defended and two interceptions for a 7-10 team. It was a far cry from his peak in 2018 when he posted 115 tackles, 12 passes defended, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception and one fumble recovery.
His Pro Football Focus player grade was 89.8 in 2018 and 87.9 in 2019 for the Jets but just 64.2 in 2020 and 60.1 in 2021 for the Seahawks.
Adams' time in Seattle has been disappointing to this point, and the 2022 campaign figured to be an important one as he attempted to turn things around. An injury in the season opener is a difficult blow for the player and team.
Look for the Seahawks to turn toward Ryan Neal for more playing time while Adams is sidelined.
Seahawks' Jamal Adams 'Ready to Go' vs. Broncos After Finger Injury Recovery
Sep 10, 2022
Seattle Seahawks defensive back Jamal Adams is pictured before an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, in Seattle. The Bears won 27-11. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams, who suffered a broken finger on the first day of training camp this year, will play in his team's regular-season opener Monday against the Denver Broncos.
"I’m ready to go, man," Adams said, per Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. "I’m excited."
Adams only missed two practices before returning with a cast on his hand, per ESPN's Brady Henderson.
Jamal Adams is back after missing the Seahawks’ last two practices. He’s wearing a cast over the left hand that he re-injured at the end of the first practice. pic.twitter.com/tVHNZtWcpK
The former LSU star didn't play in the preseason, but as Condotta noted, that was the case for other starters as well.
Adams has not been listed on the Seahawks' injury report this week.
The broken finger occurred after Adams accidentally got his finger twisted in another player's face mask during practice, per Adam Jude of the Seattle Times.
Adams has been gutting through numerous injuries over the past few years, including a twice-torn labrum that forced him on injured reserve and ended his season early last year after 12 games. He finished the year with 87 tackles and two interceptions.
He also had surgery that fused two of his left hand's fingers. Adams told reporters:
"Been going through that for two years now. I mean, my first year when I got here, dislocated my ring finger probably about 10 times and the other one, probably about 12. So I’ve been dealing with that. I didn’t really say much. Let everybody talk about it, whatever. But you know, it’s good now and they’re in trouble. ... I played with one arm damn near for two years. But that’s no excuse. At the end of the day it was tape it up. Let’s go."
Adams is ready to rock as he enters his sixth NFL season and third with Seattle. The 26-year-old has earned three Pro Bowl nods and a First-Team All-Pro appearance thus far in his pro career.
