After a great first season with the Seattle Seahawks, it’s been an injury-riddled past two seasons for outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu.
The former USC star has missed 22 games since the start of the 2023 season with a torn pectoral muscle, an MCL sprain, and a torn quad muscle. Having just agreed to a restructured contract, it looks as if there’s a chance Nwosu’s availability for training camp is uncertain.
On his weekly radio appearance on Seattle Sports 710 with Bob Stelton and Dave Wyman, Seahawks general manager John Schneider revealed that Nwosu recently underwent surgery. Schneider did not specify what type of surgery had, although it’s also worth noting that Nwosu had also dealt with a wrist issue. A timetable for his return is also unclear.
“He had surgery right after the season, “Schneider said. “The doctors are excited, but it’s going to be pretty close (on) his recovery. Is he going to be a PUP player candidate? Or will we be there without (him) and we just ride it for a couple weeks?
“It’s way too early to tell, but what we know about Uchenna is he’s still a young man. But that guy’s a dog. He’s nasty. He’s a leader. He’s all about the work. He’s awesome. He’s great for the defense.”
The Seahawks did sign DeMarcus Lawrence in free agency and have gotten quality contributions from Boye Mafe and Derick Hall, so Nwosu’s potential lengthy absence is not damaging but it certainly isn’t great news. If anything, it’s more unfortunate that the 28-year-old Nwosu had a breakout season in 2022 with 9.5 sacks and consistently good run defense and has dealt with multiple injuries and multiple long-term surgeries.
Of course, Schneider did say it’s “way too early to tell” regarding when Nwosu will be ready to go again, so hopefully the optimistic side means he’ll be back out on the practice field sooner rather than later.