Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu listens to officials as they flag him for roughing the passer during the first quarter of a preseason game against the Browns in August. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)
Bob Condotta By Bob Condotta
Seattle Times Staff Reporter
RENTON — The Seahawks’ improving defense may soon welcome back one of its top players, outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu.
Head coach Mike Macdonald shared on Monday that Nwosu is set to return to practice this week, beginning a 21-day window to practice before the team must either activate him to the 53-man roster or place him back on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.
Macdonald confirmed that Nwosu won’t be ready for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets, though his exact return date remains unclear.
“The plan is to have him out there (Tuesday) in some capacity,” Macdonald said at his weekly news conference following Sunday’s 16-6 win over Arizona. “The window opens, and we’ll go from there.”
Nwosu’s return to the practice field is a positive sign, especially considering he has only played seven games since 2022 due to three separate injuries.
Nwosu missed the final 11 games of last season with a pectoral injury. This year, he sustained a sprained knee in the last preseason game against Cleveland, sidelining him for the first four regular-season games. After recovering, he returned to play but then suffered a thigh injury against the Giants on October 6, which led to his placement on IR the following week after playing just 20 snaps.
Without Nwosu, the Seahawks have relied on Boye Mafe and Derick Hall as their primary edge rushers, with Dre’Mont Jones also seeing time on the edge. The return of Nwosu will add strength to the defense as the team pushes for a playoff spot.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) just before Macdonald confirmed his return, Nwosu wrote: “Perfect timing.”
Nwosu, who led the Seahawks with 9.5 sacks in 2022, signed a three-year, $45 million contract extension in July 2023, which included $16.6 million in fully guaranteed money. His cap hit this year is just over $7.8 million, the sixth-highest on the team. However, his injuries have kept him from playing much since signing the contract.
Looking ahead, the Seahawks will face a decision regarding Nwosu’s future. His 2025 salary of $6 million becomes guaranteed if he remains on the roster as of February 10, and his cap hit is set to jump to $21.49 million in 2025. However, that issue is for the future, as the Seahawks’ defense, which has allowed only 23 points in wins over the 49ers and Cardinals, is currently in first place in the NFC West.
Haynes, Laumea Competing for Right Guard Spot
Anthony Bradford, who has started all 11 games this season at right guard, is expected to miss one or two games due to an ankle injury sustained on Sunday. Bradford played only four snaps before leaving the game, with rookie Christian Haynes filling in for the remainder of the contest and logging a career-high 60 snaps.
Haynes, a third-round pick from UConn, has seen rotational playing time earlier this season but was inactive for the loss to the Rams and played only on special teams against the 49ers. Macdonald praised Haynes for staying ready despite his limited role.
“(He) deserves all the credit for staying prepared,” Macdonald said. “He knew all the mental aspects of the game, and though we have some technique things to work on, it was good enough to win the game.”
Macdonald also mentioned that rookie sixth-round pick Sataoa Laumea, who has been inactive all season, will be in the mix for the role of the third guard and could compete with Haynes for playing time on the right side.
“We’re excited to give Sataoa a chance to show what he can do,” Macdonald said. “It’s an opportunity to see his approach now that he’s got it.”
Lucas ‘Taking Steps’ in Recovery
As hoped, Abe Lucas played all 64 snaps at right tackle in Sunday’s game, his second game back after recovering from knee surgery. He had played 42 of 60 snaps in the previous game against the 49ers, with rookie Michael Jerrell rotating in for a few series to help ease Lucas back.
“Lucas is taking steps,” Macdonald said. “It’s good to give him a full game. It’s going to be a process to get him back to full speed, but it’s great having him out there.”
Lucas was called for two illegal formation penalties early in the game. Macdonald explained that Lucas was simply lined up too far from the line of scrimmage on both occasions, which resulted in penalties. Offenses must have at least seven players on the line of scrimmage.