Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon OUT vs. Vikings
While the Seattle Seahawks don't expect their top draft choice to be out very long, they will not have rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon in action in their preseason opener against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday.
Sitting out for the third straight practice, coach Pete Carroll told reporters Witherspoon injured the same hamstring that bothered him during the pre-draft process. However, the injury is in a different place on the hamstring and the Seahawks look to be erring on the side of caution with a month until the regular season begins.
"It doesn't seem serious, he's moving around and all that. But we have to be careful here," Carroll said of Witherspoon's status.
After Seattle selected Witherspoon fifth overall in April's draft, the unanimous All-American out of Illinois was limited during rookie minicamp and the early stages of OTAs as he worked back from a hamstring strain. But he had been a full participant in training camp since signing his rookie contract on July 28 and impressing between the lines, seeing the bulk of his action at slot cornerback with the first-team defense.
Midway through Monday's practice, though he still had his helmet on, Witherspoon stayed on the sideline with an ice wrap on his leg. He remained out on Tuesday and Wednesday, though he could be seen jumping around and cheering on teammates.
Without Witherspoon available on Thursday, the Seahawks will roll with Coby Bryant as their primary slot cornerback, while veterans Mike Jackson and Tre Brown should receive the starts on the outside. Bryant has been seeing action at safety during camp, but the team will likely turn to rookies Jerrick Reed II, Jonathan Sutherland, and Ty Okada instead against the Vikings.
In additional injury news, Carroll dropped the dreaded "legit" label discussing linebacker Vi Jones' ankle sprain, indicating he could be out for a couple of weeks. Seattle will have Ben Burr-Kirven, Jon Rhattigan, Nick Bellore, and undrafted rookie Patrick O'Connell suiting up to play in his absence.
Out since last Friday's mock game, second-year receiver Dareke Young "looks like he's taking a little turn" in his recovery from a hip/groin injury. Still unsure whether the injury is sports hernia-related, the Seahawks will continue monitoring him to see if he can return to action soon, but he won't be ready to play against the Vikings.
"We’re seeing how he comes back, if he can make it back," Carroll said.
On the positive side, the Seahawks dodged a bullet with second-year safety Joey Blount, who didn't suffer a significant injury to his back in Monday's practice. After taking a hard fall in the end zone breaking up a pass and jamming his knee into the ground, he was carted off the field and hasn't practiced since, but Carroll said he could be back as early as next week.
"We were really worried about it and he just found out yesterday that everything is fine," Carroll remarked. "He's got a sore lower back just from the jolt, but no damage at all, so we'll see if we can get him back next week."
As for running back Ken Walker III and edge rusher Darrell Taylor, neither player will suit up against the Vikings. But Carroll provided encouraging updates on their statuses as they recover from groin and shoulder injuries respectively.
Out since the first practice of training camp with a groin injury, Walker has started running in a straight line and Carroll said he will begin cutting next week. Dealing with a shoulder sprain, Taylor feels "way better," but the team won't know how much he has truly progressed until he uses the shoulder more on the field.
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Seahawks? Click Here to subscribe to AllSeahawks.com's Newsletter.
Follow All Seahawks.com on Twitter and Facebook
Make sure to subscribe to our daily podcast @lockedonseahawks today! Click here To Listen.
Want even more Seattle Seahawks news? Check out the SI.com team page here.
