The Seattle Seahawks were down to just four players sitting out of practice with injuries Thursday, although three key defenders remain on that list.
Two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Devon Witherspoon (knee), Pro Bowl safety Julian Love (hamstring) and outside linebacker Derick Hall (oblique) were all held out of practice for a second straight day.
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But the good news for the Seahawks was that four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (quadricep) was a full participant and linebacker Ernest Jones IV (shoulder) was a limited participant after missing practice the day prior. Rookie safety Nick Emmanwori (ankle) was also a full participant a day after being limited.
Additionally, veteran defensive tackle Jarran Reed was a full participant Thursday after being held out with a non-injury-related/rest designation the day prior, and cornerback Riq Woolen (concussion) logged his second straight limited session.
Head coach Mike Macdonald said Monday that Hall is “week to week” after suffering an oblique injury in this past Sunday’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
On Wednesday, Macdonald said the game statuses for Lawrence, Witherspoon and Woolen will depend on how the week progresses. Macdonald also offered a similar timeframe when discussing Love’s status on Monday. Lawrence’s full practice Thursday is a sign he’s trending in the right direction for this Sunday’s game at the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Lawrence, Witherspoon and Love all missed the game against the Buccaneers.
Backup offensive lineman Josh Jones (ankle) was the other Seahawk who was held out of practice Thursday. Macdonald earlier this week said he would miss the game in Jacksonville.
Below is a full look at Thursday’s practice report.
Did not participate
• CB Devon Witherspoon (knee)
• S Julian Love (hamstring)
• OLB Derick Hall (oblique)
• OT Josh Jones (ankle)
Limited participation
• LB Ernest Jones IV (shoulder)
• CB Riq Woolen (concussion)
Full participation
• FB Brady Russell (wrist)
• DE Demarcus Lawrence (quadricep)
• DT Jarran Reed (non-injury-related/rest)
• S Nick Emmanwori (ankle)
Pili signed to 53-man roster
Seattle signed nose tackle Brandon Pili from the practice squad to the 53-man roster Thursday.
In order to make room for Pili, the Seahawks released veteran wide receiver Cody White, who was signed back to the practice squad.
Pili, a 26-year-old USC product, was elevated to the active roster for the third time this season in Sunday’s loss to Tampa Bay. Practice squad players can only be elevated three times in a season, meaning the Seahawks needed to sign Pili to the 53-man roster in order for him to play for them again this season.
Pili has registered one tackle while playing 37 total snaps in his three games this year.
The 26-year-old White has bounced back and forth between Seattle’s practice squad and 53-man roster. He played 11 total snaps in the Seahawks’ season opener but hasn’t appeared in a game since.
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