Nick Emmanwori is getting back into the swing of things for the Seattle Seahawks, and that matters for a defense that wants him available in a bigger way as the season moves on.
The defensive back missed Seattle’s season opener against the New England Patriots while recovering from offseason ankle surgery, then made his debut in Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals before earning his first start of the year in Week 3 against the Washington Commanders. Now, he’s practicing with the team and inching closer to full strength.
“It’s been feeling good,” Emmanwori said via the team’s website. “Everything’s going along kind of as we expected, kind of weird offseason. So having the challenge to ramp up at different times and trying to figure out a good plan, which we’ve been following, and it’s been pretty good getting me up to speed.”
Seattle’s defense opened the year in sharp fashion, allowing just 17 combined points across its first two games against the Patriots and Cardinals. Week 3 was a different story, with the Commanders nearly doubling that total. Emmanwori’s workload had started to climb after an offseason limited by injury, and that may have been part of the picture in Washington.
Even so, the Seahawks need what he brings. Emmanwori’s value comes from how many jobs he can handle, and that kind of versatility is useful but not simple to manage. There’s still a learning curve, and the process is not something that snaps into place overnight.
“I think stepping up in a bigger role just wherever the coaches find fit,” Emmanwori said via the team’s website. “And whenever I get back and we fully ramp up, I think the defense is going to be real.
It’s going to be real deal. It’s going to be even better last year.”
Seattle knows how important timing can be when it comes to health. A big part of the Seahawks’ Super Bowl run was getting players right at the right time, with the team keeping most of its roster together all the way through the title game and capturing the franchise’s second championship.
For Emmanwori, the focus is on the bigger picture as much as the next game. After the setbacks he’s dealt with, getting back to full speed is part of what can help the Seahawks defense find its footing again.
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