The Seattle Seahawks returned to the practice field for opening day of 2026 training camp, giving fans their first opportunity to watch the team in person since their Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots in February. While the early days of training camp tend to be light on anything super physical without pads, it is still a tasty morsel for fans to savor before padded practices and eventually preseason games. Here is a recap of opening day!
Roster Status and Training Camp Openers in Seattle
The front office and coaching staff face several roster management questions as preparations unfold. Deven Eastern, Zach Charbonnet, Kenny McIntosh, and Nick Emmanwori are currently on the PUP list. Charbonnet and McIntosh are recovering from ACL tears that book-ended last season, while Emmanwori is recovering from ankle surgery. Eastern’s injury status was not clarified during Mike Macdonald’s press conference. The good news is that no one else joined them on PUP or found themselves on the NFI list.
Injury Timelines and Coaching Decisions
Head coach Mike Macdonald addressed the media on opening day, providing clarity on several key personnel situations. Speaking about Dante Fowler Jr., who did not practice, Macdonald explained that the absence was precautionary.
“He’s really worked hard this offseason. He’s in really good shape. Today was a little more precautionary thing but he’ll be back out tomorrow and we got a plan for him.”
Mike Macdonald, Seahawks Head Coach
Macdonald also detailed the situation surrounding Nick Emmanwori, whose ankle issue traces back to the Super Bowl. Although Emmanwori was able to perform and train during the offseason program, it got to the point where surgery was decided as the best path for his long-term career.
“So it’s the ankle from the Super Bowl and I think the best way to describe it is was something that he’s been dealing with since the Super Bowl. He was able to perform, able to train and do some things in the offseason program, but just got to the point where it was the best for him and really just for him in the long term just to go ahead and get it fixed, so that’s what we all decided to do.”
“So, it’s really the best thing for him for now and the foreseeable future, you know, for the rest of his career. […] We don’t have a necessarily a timetable. It’s not like we lost him for the season or anything.”
Mike Macdonald, Seahawks Head Coach
Regarding running back Kenny McIntosh, who continues his recovery from a tough injury going on almost a year now, Macdonald noted that a definitive return timetable remains undetermined.
“Kenny’s doing a great job. No timetable [yet]. You know, that was a tough injury and I know we’re going on almost a year now, but uh that was a really unfortunate injury for for Kenny Mac. But he’s right there. He’s rehabbing. He’s working hard.”
Mike Macdonald, Seahawks Head Coach
Contract Talks and Returning Talent
Amid roster adjustments, star cornerback Devon Witherspoon reported to camp and participated in practice despite ongoing contract extension negotiations. Witherspoon has two years left on his contract, choosing to participate rather than staging a hold-out.
Meanwhile, the wide receiver group received a notable boost with Tory Horton returning to full participation. Horton missed the back-end of last season with a shin injury that went from seemingly minor to season-ending, but with surgery out of the way and rehab going smoothly, he was a full-go at practice. The team’s opening session also featured HBO’s Hard Knocks filming on site.
Reflecting on the new ownership group, Macdonald mentioned they had great visits with all the folks that were here, expressing excitement for a new chapter in the organization’s history under Jody Allen and the rest of the ownership group. The Seahawks hold their public second training camp practice on Sunday, July 26 at 12:55 pm.
