Seahawks Injury Updates: Latest on Jamal Adams, Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Dishing out plenty of intel on a number of injured players for the Seattle Seahawks, Pete Carroll discussed Jaxon Smith-Njigba's surgery and what's next for Jamal Adams coming off the PUP list.

Gearing up for their final preseason showcase on the road against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Saturday, Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll provided updates on numerous injured players following Thursday's practice.

Starting with players who won't be suiting up on Saturday, Carroll didn't have much new information on rookie receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, but he did confirm the former Ohio State standout underwent successful wrist surgery. While a timetable for his return remains uncertain after he fractured the wrist in last week's win over the Cowboys, the Seahawks are "optimistic" about his return prognosis.

“I haven’t heard anything since the surgery other than that what they initially said, that everything went great," Carroll said of Smith-Njigba. "They showed us pictures and all that kind of stuff, so we saw that. It’s an elaborate surgery for such a small crack in the area, it’s going to be so safe. We’re really pleased with it and so is he.”

Away from Smith-Njigba, Seattle officially activated star safety Jamal Adams from the PUP list as he prepares to take a major step in his return from a torn quad tendon. Since the team didn't hold a walkthrough session on Thursday, he has yet to participate in practice, but Carroll said he should start receiving football work with the team starting next week.

If all goes well with walkthroughs, in a similar staging to linebacker Jordyn Brooks, Adams will progress into individual and team drills. As for his availability for the regular season opener, Carroll said the Seahawks are "not going to rush him at all" and won't play him until he's fully ready and confident in the rehab process.

“It’s a good step for him," Carroll said. "He’ll jump into the routine like we’ve been doing with our guys like walkthroughs and things like that, so that he can start to break the huddle with the fellas, make the calls, get aligned, and make adjustments. Get his mind rolling in that direction and there’s one way to do it. This is a good time for him to pop back. He’s ready to go and he’s working really hard."

In the trenches, according to Carroll, the Seahawks could be short-handed at center for Saturday's contest in Green Bay. Veteran Joey Hunt "tweaked his knee" and struggled through a workout on Thursday, putting his status for the preseason finale in jeopardy. Meanwhile, rookie Olu Oluwatimi continues to deal with a sore elbow, but the team is holding out hope that he will suit up after not playing last week.

"He’s been a little bit hindered because his elbow has been a little bit of a problem," Carroll said. "He’s had to adapt to that but to his credit, his mentality and attitude have been great. He doesn’t want to miss anything, he’s trying to fight. He never squeaked about anything about his elbow other than reporting it. He doesn't want to miss a play, so his attitude has been great.”

If Hunt and Oluwatimi both sit out on Saturday, second-year blocker Liam Ryan has been receiving work at center and would be in line for extensive snaps against the Packers as the former Washington State standout adapts to a new position.

On the outside, Seattle continues to play a bit of musical chairs at receiver due to injuries. In addition to Smith-Njigba being sidelined, second-year wideout Dareke Young left the team for a second opinion on a nagging hip issue, Dee Eskridge remains out with a knee sprain, and Cody Thompson likely won't play in Green Bay due to a shoulder injury.

With those four players not suiting up against the Packers, a prime opportunity will be presented for several young receivers vying for a roster spot. Among those returning to action, undrafted rookie Matt Landers, Easop Winston, and Cade Johnson, who exited concussion protocol earlier this week, will all play after missing last week's preseason game with injuries.

"It will be fun to see them go, they're ready to play," Carroll said. "Matt Landers made it back and he’s ready to go, he had a nice couple of days here, Easop made it back too, he made it back to go. Cade is going to play, you know so we got some guys coming back to us. We’re excited to see them back out there.”

Defensively, the Seahawks will be missing a handful of players on Saturday, including safety Jonathan Sutherland, who hasn't practiced this week due to a groin strain. While both players may practice next week, edge rusher Darrell Taylor and cornerback Devon Witherspoon will remain out as they work back from shoulder and hamstring injuries respectively.

After disclosing to reporters that rookie defensive tackle Mike Morris underwent a shoulder procedure earlier in the week, Carroll didn't have any updates on the fifth-round pick out of Michigan, who remains out indefinitely.

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