Jaxon Smith-Njigba unlimited for his Seahawks debut vs. Rams. Not so for Devon Witherspoon
The Seahawks will have at least one of their first-round draft picks making his NFL debut on time this weekend.
“I love playing ball. I’m just happy I’m out there,” rookie wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba said after he fully participated again in practice Friday for Seattle’s season opener Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field.
It’s been two weeks and two days since the 20th pick in this year’s draft had surgery in Philadelphia to repair a broken bone in his wrist.
This week, Smith-Njigba replaced the bulkier, cast-like protective device over his lower left arm with a more flexible, almost wrap-like cover.
Coach Pete Carroll says his third wide receiver has no limitations going into Sunday’s game.
“He hasn’t shown one. Seriously, he’s been amazing, like I’ve been saying,” Carroll said. “It’s been really cool to see.”
The 21-year-old Smith-Njigba said he remains “ blessed.”
“I’m blessed with the opportunity for the Seahawks to pick me up at 20,” he said.
“Now I get to see the season. It’s a long, hard road to get here, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.
“I’m just thankful for the opportunity.”
It’s one Devon Witherspoon appears likely to have to wait another week to experience.
The Seahawks listed Witherspoon as questionable officially for Sunday’s game.
But the cornerback and fifth pick in the draft has yet to fully participate in a practice since Aug. 7, after he injured his hamstring.
That — and Carroll’s words after Witherspoon was limited again in a light practice Friday — make it seem the rookie cornerback and slot cover man is more likely to make his NFL debut next week when the Seahawks play at the Detroit Lions.
That would make veteran Artie Burns an option for the Seahawks to promote from the practice squad Saturday for depth at nickel defensive back behind Coby Bryant Sunday.
Carroll said Witherspoon “got a lot of turns” in the defensive secondary this week in his return to practicing, “but measured the whole time.”
“We feel like we’ve just got to...he could possibly play,” Carroll said.
Then the coach added: “We’ve got to do long-term thinking and make sure we are taking care of our guys the best we possibly can.
“So we’ll see what we do with that.”
JSN and his doctors
The Seahawks had limited Smith-Njigba during offseason practices following the draft. That was to not reinjure the hamstring that cost him almost all of last season, his final one at Ohio State.
Last month he got hurt breaking his fall with his left hand and arm while getting tackled from behind on a 48-yard catch and run in Seattle’s preseason game against Dallas Aug. 19. He said Friday he had no idea he’d been injured on the play.
Carroll remarked last month that even before Smith-Njigba left for Philadelphia to have his surgery Aug. 23 the rookie was telling his coach he’d play in this opener.
“Whatever they told me, I just took it with a grain of salt,” Smith-Njigba said Friday of his doctors.
“Yeah, I figured it out as we kept going. ...With the information I was given, I just thought I could be back soon.
“Very excited. A dream come true. Living out the dream.”
Kenneth Walker full go
Running back Kenneth Walker is also full go and will start Sunday.
The team’s 1,050-yard rusher as a rookie last season had gone from July 27 to Aug. 17 without practicing fully because of a groin injury.
The Seahawks gave him some rest during practices this week to maintain his return to health.
Damien Lewis OK
Seattle lists starting left guard Damien Lewis as questionable. He banged his shoulder in practice midweek, Carroll said.
The coach said Lewis was full go Friday and will start against the Rams.
Mike Morris in the D-line rotation
Rookie Mike Morris missed weeks with a shoulder injury the latter part of training camp and the preseason.
But Carroll said the fifth-round pick from Michigan will be in the rotation along the defensive line Sunday behind starting tackle Jarran Reed and end Dre’Mont Jones.
This story was originally published September 8, 2023 at 3:11 PM.
