The Seattle Seahawks are a team that is built to win with elite defense. In Week 1, the group wasn't elite, though it was good. The problem is that some of the parts hurt the whole. Cornerback Riq Woolen single-handedly ruined Seattle's attempt to stop the San Francisco 49ers late in the game.
But one player, even in limited reps, was worse than Woolen. Safety Ty Okada, who somehow plays well in training camp and the preseason before being, at best, iffy in real games, only got in on six snaps and made the worst of them.
In five coverage snaps, he was targeted twice, both were completed, and one was a touchdown. He had one chance to make a tackle, and he whiffed on that. While the 49ers were never on fire offensively, Okada seemingly did his best to ignite one.
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald needs safety Ty Okada to be better
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But if you thought that moving forward, things might be safer because head coach Mike Macdonald might just keep Okada out of the game, he doesn't truly have that choice. Rookie Nick Emmanwori [suffered an ankle injury](https://12thmanrising.com/seattle-seahawks-positivity-week-1-marred-injury-rookie-nick-emmanwori), and he might be out for some time. A trip to injured reserve is possible.
That, of course, means Okada would see even more snaps. He is listed as the backup to Coby Bryant, but, in theory, Okdad can play either free or strong safety. He has the potential to wreck the Seattle Seahawks' defensive plans from either spot if he continues to play as he did in Week 1.
12s should probably hold their collective breaths (but not for too long; that's dangerous) in hopes that Bryant or Julian Love do not get hurt. If one has to miss any time, Seattle is in real trouble.
The expectation should be that D'Anthony Bell, who had a solid preseason, is elevated from the practice squad to replace Emmanwori, assuming he misses time. Though Okada [made the active roster](https://12thmanrising.com/posts/players-made-seahawks-53-man-roster-didnt-deserve-01j6ahfcbd3b), he proved that nearly any other player added to the roster should get more playing time.
Bell does have some starting experience in the league. He played his first three years with the Cleveland Browns, started seven games, and had two interceptions. If he were great, he would have made a roster, but he is almost certainly better than Okada.
Or maybe the Seattle Seahawks will get lucky and Ty Okada will completely turn things around and be good. There is no proof that it will be the case, but Mike Macdonald needs it to happen.