Seahawks CB Tariq Woolen 'Back Soon' From Knee Surgery, Says Pete Carroll
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Back on the practice field as an observer for the team's final open OTA session on Thursday, the Seattle Seahawks expect Pro Bowl cornerback Tariq Woolen to return to action from knee surgery in quick fashion.
Speaking to reporters after practice wrapped up, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll detailed how Woolen suffered the injury during an on-field workout earlier this month, indicating the second-year defender felt a tweak in his knee between plays in what he called "an unusual occurrence." Understanding something wasn't right, after meeting with the team's medical staff, he flew down to Houston to fix a cartilage-related issue last week.
"He didn't have a play where he got hurt," Carroll said. "He was in between plays getting ready to go get lined up and felt something and it wasn't bad. Then before the play started, he sat down and felt something was wrong."
Sporting a wrap on his leg at the VMAC on Thursday, Woolen watched from the sidelines as fellow cornerbacks Devon Witherspoon and Mike Jackson each intercepted a pass during the session. According to Carroll, the former UTSA standout already has made excellent progress in the week since his operation and Seattle anticipates he will be ready to go well before the start of training camp in late July.
"Fortunately, everything went great and he's getting around perfect already," Carroll said of Woolen's recovery. "It's hopefully a four-to-six week deal. His attitude was great and he never really accepted it when it happened. It was such a weird occurrence. He just took it in stride and been really positive about it, so we should be able to get him back soon."
A revelation as a fifth-round pick, Woolen dazzled during OTAs and training camp a year ago, beating out veterans Sidney Jones and Artie Burns for a starting job at right cornerback to start the season. Using his excellent size at 6'4 with sub-4.3 speed to his advantage, the converted receiver picked off passes in four consecutive games for the Seahawks from Week 3 to Week 6, including returning a pick six in a road win over the Lions in Detroit.
Starting all 17 regular season games, Woolen tied for the NFL lead as well as a franchise rookie record with six interceptions, garnering Pro Bowl honors as a rookie and finishing third in NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year balloting. He also racked up 63 tackles, 10 pass breakups in coverage, and a trio of fumble recoveries, contributing in a myriad of ways in Seattle's secondary.
Once he's cleared to play again, Woolen will jump back into the starting lineup at right cornerback, while Witherspoon, the fifth overall pick out of Illinois, will battle against Jackson to start opposite of him on the left side. The Seahawks' secondary should be further bolstered by the expected return of former All-Pro safety Jamal Adams teaming up with Quandre Diggs and free agent signee Julian Love.
In additional injury news, Carroll said second-year tackle Abraham Lucas has most of his strength back after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery. Though he has been limited during OTAs, the Seahawks have "no hesitation" he will be fully ready for the start of training camp.
As for Bryan Mone, who is working his way back from reconstructive knee surgery to repair a torn ACL, the veteran nose tackle has had a few setbacks along the way. But while a timeline remains unknown in his recovery, Carroll said Seattle expects to have him back at some point this season.
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