Walter

Thurmond

Thurmond was given a 4-6 month recovery timeline after breaking his fibula in Week 7, so he’s not behind schedule. He is expected to be 100 percent healthy for training camp, where he will find himself behind Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner on the depth chart.

Thurmond was expected to be ready for training camp after receiving a 4-6 month recovery timeline in October, so it’s possible he suffered a setback. He may find himself without a role upon his return, as Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman are locked in as starters, and Roy Lewis and Marcus Trufant will be competing for the nickel job.

“We’ll see how he rehabs here,” Schneider said. “He had a little setback along the way. And we’ll just see how he progresses. He’s been a quick healer.” Veteran Marcus Trufant is expected to compete for the nickel back job behind Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner.

Thurmond is sporting a protective boot, and used a “wheeled scooter” to get around at Seahawks OTAs on Friday. Unless Thurmond begins healing at a quicker rate, he’s all but assured of beginning the year on the PUP list.

A promising athlete who’s battled numerous severe injuries since his Oregon days, Thurmond will be eligible for activation in Week 7. Seattle kept five cornerbacks on its Week 1 roster: Richard Sherman, Brandon Browner, Marcus Trufant, Byron Maxwell, and Jeremy Lane.

Thurmond was limited to six games by a broken leg last season, and suffered a setback that has him iffy for camp. He was using a “wheeled scooter” to get around OTAs last month. If Thurmond can avoid the PUP list to begin the season, he should push Marcus Trufant for snaps in the slot.

Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley recently insisted the Seahawks “really are counting” on Thurmond to contribute this season, but he was using a “wheeled scooter” to get around at practice as recently as May. He’ll almost certainly begin the year on reserve/PUP.

Thurmond re-fractured his leg back in April while he was working his way back, so that explains the delay in his return. Seattle will have three weeks to make a decision on him, or he’ll revert to injured reserve. Thurmond was a 2010 fourth-round pick out of Oregon.

“He’s ready to go when the PUP status is lifted,” coach Pete Carroll said. Thurmond would be an asset in sub-packages if he can stay healthy throughout the second half of the season. He’s been plagued by severe injuries dating back to his college career at Oregon.

Thurmond hasn’t played since the Seahawks activated him off the PUP list ahead of Week 10. He’s settled in as mere insurance behind the talented corner trio of Brandon Browner, Richard Sherman and Marcus Trufant. No surprises in rest of the Seahawks’ inactives: WR Charly Martin, CB Byron Maxwell, G J.R. Sweezy, T Mike Person, DT Jaye Howard and DE Greg Scruggs.