Seahawks training camp impressions: Marquez Valdes-Scantling ‘in a battle’ at WR

The Seahawks coaching staff was whole again on Tuesday as head man Mike Macdonald was back with the team after being away on Monday to deal with a personal matter.

“Was just with my family,’’ Macdonald said. “Everything’s positive. Everything went great, and just very blessed, very blessed. But it’s all positive. People have big problems out there. I don’t.”

Macdonald led the team through a practice of just over two hours that marked the last significant work for the Seahawks before Seattle opens the 2025 preseason Thursday night with a game at 7 p.m. at Lumen Field against Pete Carroll, Geno Smith and the Las Vegas Raiders.

Here’s what we learned from practice number 12 of Seahawks training camp:

MVS in a battle but responding positively

Tuesday’s practice only reinforced that rookie Tory Horton could emerge as the team’s number three receiver behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp and ahead of veteran Marquez Valdes-Scantling.

Horton again worked with the starters in three-receiver sets while Valdes-Scantling was resigned to the second team in either two- or three-receiver sets — and at times working with the third team in two-receiver sets behind Horton and Jake Bobo.

The 31-year-old signed a one-year deal worth up to $4 million, with $3 million guaranteed, in March as part of the team’s effort to replace wide receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.

He opened camp usually working with the ones in three-receiver sets, generally lining up outside and often in plays designed to use his speed to stretch the defense.

But while Horton has emerged as one of the stars of camp, Valdes-Scantling has often been quiet.

After practice Tuesday, Macdonald acknowledged Valdes-Scantling’s role on the team is far from settled, but said the eight-year veteran hasn’t let a sluggish start to camp affect his attitude.

“Well he knows he’s in a battle and I think he respects Tory and what he is doing,’’ Macdonald said. “He’s had a great attitude. He’s a competitor at heart. He’s had a great career but there is also a lot of great competition, too. That’s what you want from vets that you bring in. ‘Hey, come on and bring it’ if it doesn’t go your way initially the way you want it, that’s OK. We’re halfway through (camp). Let’s rock and roll go, start stacking some more plays. It’s a fun competition to watch.’’

One reason the Seahawks signed Valdes-Scantling is the success he had last year with the New Orleans Saints when new Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak was the OC there. Valdes-Scantling had 17 catches for 385 yards and four TDs in eight games with the Saints.