Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said healthy starters will get at least some playing time in Saturday’s preseason finale at Lumen Field.
The Seahawks opened their preseason with their starting defense on the field against the Chargers, but after two quick three-and-outs, the No. 1 defense took the rest of the night off. And over the course of the first two preseason games, that was all the playing time the starters on either side of the ball got, aside from a couple of young players competing for first-string roles.
When the Seahawks host the Browns Saturday night at Lumen Field, however, most of the team's starters on both sides of the ball, including quarterback Geno Smith, will get at least some playing time, head coach Mike Macdonald announced after Thursday's practice.
"The plan is you'll see a lot of starters to start the game," Macdonald said. "How many reps and all that it kind of on a per person type basis. But the plan is to see a good amount of the guys. We got a couple nicks and bruises here. We'll hold some guys out so there's some guys you might not see that you might expect. For the most part, most of the starters will start the game. Geno included."
Different teams around the league are taking varying approaches to how they handle the preseason, with some teams resting starters all together, and some playing them in multiple games. Asked why he is choosing to get most of his starters some action this weekend, Macdonald explained, "Well, different reasons. Offense, we just hadn't had a chance to get everybody out there and operate, especially at our home field. Go through all those things and there's something to putting the pads on and actually going out and moving the ball before we do it for real. Defensively, we only got six snaps in the first game so it's an opportunity to go out there and put some more good film on tape and have some confidence going into the first game."
As for what Macdonald wants to see from his team in its final preseason game, he pointed the ongoing competition at right guard between Anthony Bradford and rookie Christian Haynes, as well as the battle going on for roster spots at multiple positions.
"We've got to make a decision in the interior O-line quickly, specifically right guard," he said. "There's a lot of depth questions to be had special teams wise in the defensive backfield, so it may not be that exciting for you guys but for us as coaches it's an opportunity to go out there and earn yourself a job in this league whether it be with us or another team. We'll talk about it with the guys over the next couple days, but there are so many examples of people earning a spot in this third preseason game. Everybody's on their own timeline to earn themselves an opportunity to play professional football, which is an awesome blessing so I'm excited. It's not easy to have this opportunity to make your dreams come true so it's going to be a fun night."
Michael Barrett coming to Seattle "with great opportunity."
The Seahawks added rookie linebacker Michael Barrett on Thursday, acquiring him a trade with the Panthers that sent cornerback Michael Jackson to Carolina. Barrett, who played at Michigan, including one season when Macdonald was the defensive coordinator in 2021, is coming in with a real shot to win a roster spot at inside linebacker.
"Guys in Carolina spoke highly of him," Macdonald said. "Mike was very productive at Michigan obviously. We had a chance to evaluate him coming out (of college). He was playing two years after we left to go back to Baltimore. Just excited to have him in here and he's got a great opportunity to come compete and earn himself a spot here for hopefully a while."
Asked if Barrett could play in Saturday's game, Macdonald said he did not yet know that but said it's "not out of the realm of possibility."
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Connor Williams "learning incredibly fast."
After signing last week, center Connor Williams began practicing with the team this week on a limited basis—Williams is coming back from a torn ACL late last season—and in the work he has gotten so far he is making a strong impression.
"As expected," Macdonald said. "He takes charge. He moves really well right now. Some of the language is just different, but he's learning it incredibly fast it feels like. I think he's got a lot of confidence too which is encouraging. Just excited for him right now honestly."
Given his recent return to practice, Macdonald said it is unlikely that Williams will play in Saturday's game.
Injury updates.
Linebacker Jerome Baker, who has missed time recently with a hamstring injury, was able to take part in Thursday's work, which was at walkthrough speed, and is making progress on getting back.
"He's trending in the right direction," Macdonald said. "We did an ACT (Acclimation Communication Technique) today so he was able to get a couple more reps than he would if we were going full speed."
The Seahawks were without two key players in their secondary Thursday, cornerback Tre Brown and safety Rayshawn Jenkins. Macdonald said he does not have a timetable on Jenkins, but said Brown should get back to practice next week.
"Rayshawn we're not sure on a timetable, and Tre we're looking at probably practicing next week," Macdonald said.
Tight ends Noah Fant and Pharaoh Brown remain out, but the hope is that both will be ready for the season-opener.
"I don't think the likelihood has changed or anything like that," Macdonald said. "They're on schedule. A lot of things can happen between now and then, so I don't want to give you one thing or another but we're optimistic."
