Being sidelined so early in his career was a challenge for Emmanwori, who had a healthy college career, but his teammates helped keep his spirits up as he worked his way back for this second debut.
"It was super tough," he said. "It was my first injury since college—I only missed one game ever, so it was kind of tough sitting around. But a lot of the guys kept reminding me that it's a long football season, so there ain't no rush to get back. Just make sure that you're good and healthy and ready to go, stay sharp."
For the Seahawks, Emmanwori's return is a welcome one as they deal with two significant absences in their secondary. Cornerback Devon Witherspoon (knee) and safety Julian Love (hamstring) were able to return from their injuries to play in last week's win over Arizona, but both are out for this game. Also ruled out are Lawrence, who injured his quadricep last week, and tackle Josh Jones, who will miss a second straight game with an ankle injury.
Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said Witherspoon "just got re-injured in the Arizona game," and said Love's hamstring injury "happened really late in the game."
Macdonald said the belief is that none of the four players out this week are looking at a stint on injured reserve. As for Emmanwori, Macdonald is just happy for the rookie to get another chance to show what he can do after his debut was cut short.
"I'm more excited for him to be able to go play a game," Macdonald said. "It's not easy, the guys played literally every snap since he walked in the door, every practice he was available, then you get a setback in the first game. That's not an easy mental thing to have to go through, and then go through the whole rehab to come back, and do it the way he's done it. I thought he handled himself very well, he stayed sharp, mentally, and I know he's itching for the opportunity, so I'm excited for him."
While the Seahawks will miss the presence of Witherspoon and Love, they also are confident in the players who will step in, having already turned to Derion Kendrick for two games in the nickel role, and to Ty Okada and D'Anthony Bell at safety when Love missed Seattle's Week 3 win over New Orleans.
"It was the same feeling going into New Orleans," Macdonald said. "Those guys had a good week of practice, they're locked in, and we expect them go play our brand of ball and go try to win a football game."