Through two years of NFL play, Seahawks tight end AJ Barner has not missed a single game. That doesn’t mean he’s been perfectly healthy. After undergoing two surgeries a week after the team’s Super Bowl LX parade, Barner has not participated in any on-field work in the Seattle’s offseason workout program. Per Seahawks senior reporter John Boyle, Barter “fully expects to be ready for training camp.”
According to Boyle, while Barner was able to put up an impressive first year as a full-time starter, he did so while playing through multiple injuries last year. Neither Barner nor the team disclosed what surgeries he underwent, but based on Seattle’s injury reports throughout the season, Barner’s name appeared in seven of the 10 weeks leading up to the Seahawks’ first game of the postseason as he dealt at different times with hip, elbow, shoulder, knee, ankle, and calf injuries.
The 24-year-old’s durability has been ideal for Seattle’s offense. The team relied on him throughout the season as second-round rookie Elijah Arroyo struggled to make an impact for landing on injured reserve with a knee injury of his own. The only other significant contributor from the tight ends group was veteran Eric Saubert, who mostly contributed as a blocker. Barner finished second on the team in receptions (52) and receiving touchdowns (6) and third on the team in receiving yards (519). Arroyo and Saubert combined for 22 catches for 210 yards and one touchdown, while reserve Nick Kallerup went catchless.
With Barner still rehabbing, his offseason participation has been mostly limited to that, but as mentioned above, Barner expects to be back in action in time for training camp. Plus, when he does return, he’ll be doing so healthy. Barner felt that the injuries throughout the season took away from “his ability to prepare for games,” but he is looking forward to what he might be able to do with full time to game prep in 2026.
“I’m definitely feeling better,” Barner told the media earlier this month. “It’s definitely still a process to get back out there, but by the time training camp rolls around, I’m going to be ready to go.”