Nick

Emmanwori

The Seahawks’ star defensive back makes his 2026 debut against the Cardinals this afternoon. Still recovering from his offseason ankle surgery, Emmanwori missed the Seahawks’ Week 1 game against the Patriots. He picked up a hip injury this week, but is evidently good to go.

Emmanwori picked up a hip injury mid-week. Hopefully, he is good to go by Sunday. The Seahawks ruled out fellow starting S Ty Okada (hamstring) for this one, but the Seahawks D/ST remains formidable overall.

Emmanwori remains limited through two Week 2 practices, and Okada (hamstring) has not yet resumed practicing. Emmanwori seemingly has a chance to play, but Okada appears to be a long shot.

Emmanwori is still unable to get in a full practice as he nurses a pesky ankle injury, also adding a hip issue to his practice designation. He will likely need a full practice before he is set to return for the Seahawks. Fellow safety Ty Okada (hamstring) missed practice on Wednesday; both players missed Week 1 and are in jeopardy of missing Week 2 against the Cardinals.

Emmanwori underwent surgery to deal with an ankle issue back in July. Despite some limited practice participation, the 22-year-old is not yet ready to return. With S Ty Okada (hamstring) also out, the Seahawks will lack depth in the back of the secondary for Week 1 against the Patriots.

One of Seattle’s other projected starters on defense, Ty Okada, was ruled out with a hamstring injury. It would certainly be a boon to Rhamondre Stevenson’s value if Emmanwori can’t go on Wednesday. Emmanwori had surgery on his ankle in July and opened camp on the PUP list. He’s generally been regarded as more doubtful-than-questionable, but there’s a chance he’s able to go based on this listing.

It’s the second straight missed practice for Okada as he tends to a hamstring injury, while fellow starting safety Nick Emmanwori (ankle) is thought to be doubtful to suit up against the Patriots Wednesday, per those close to the team. The team’s final injury report of their Week 1 preparation will be released Tuesday, upon which we’ll receive final game designations. Keep a close eye on the transaction reports from Seattle to gauge the expected level of health of both players. Considering the Seahawks carried only three safeties on their initial 53-man roster, any practice squad elevations from the secondary could signal expected absences from one, or both, players.

Emmanwori’s participation is somewhat surprising. That said, The News Tribune’s Gregg Bell echoed ESPN’s Brady Henderson in a report issued at the end of practice, writing that Seahawks teammates seem to suggest that Emmanwori is doubtful to play this week. The team is still working through backup options at this time, though coach Mike Macdonald wants CB Devon Witherspoon to contribute as a nickel defender, both in coverage and via blitz packages, if Emmanwori cannot play. Fellow starting safety Ty Okada (hamstring) did not practice on Sunday.

Henderson’s assessment is reasonable. Jones’ comments on Emmanwori’s abilities meandered, but he closed by saying the team is “focused on who’s out there, who’s available right now.” Emmanwori underwent surgery to deal with a nagging ankle issue in July. Seahawks GM John Schneider said recent trade acquisition CB Avery Smith had a “phenomenal preseason” and can line up on the perimeter and over the slot, making him a potential fill-in for Emmanwori’s hybrid nickel/safety role.

Framing it as “a chance” in the most optimistic time of the year tells us it’s far from a certainty. Emmanwori underwent surgery in late July. The second-year safety did pass his physical, taking him off the active/PUP list today.