Macdonald said the plan was to not put Emmanwori on IR in hopes that he will return faster than that four-week timeframe.
“That’s the thought,” Macdonald said. “It’s not a steady line that you can project, which makes it tricky, but we’re hoping it’s less than the time it would take on IR, that’s why we haven’t done it yet.”
Witherspoon’s injury occurred on Josh Jobe’s interception late in Sunday’s game, and while he was slow to get up after the play, the third-year corner did not miss a defensive snap the rest of the way.
“His adrenaline’s pumping like crazy,” Macdonald said of Witherspoon finishing the game. “Just shows you he’s tough as nails. You wouldn’t have known he was dealing with it as the game was going on.”
Macdonald said the injury is not believed to be a long-term issue, and said they’ll likely wait until gameday to make a final decision on Witherspoon’s availability.
If Witherspoon doesn’t play, Josh Jobe would step into a starting role opposite Riq Woolen, which wouldn’t be a big change for Jobe, who already had a significant role as the No. 3 corner, coming in when the Seahawks play nickel, with Witherspoon moving inside. The Seahawks’ options behind Jobe and Woolen include veteran corner Shaquill Griffin, who was signed off the practice squad earlier in the week, 2024 fifth-round pick Nehemiah Pritchett, or Derion Kendrick, a Seahawks waiver claim earlier this month who started 18 games over his first two seasons with the Rams before missing last season due to injury.
Safety Julian Love (groin) and defensive tackle Jarran Reed (back) both practiced Friday after not practicing Thursday, and do not have injury designations for the game, meaning they’re good to go.
Also playing on Sunday are outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu, receiver Dareke Young and receiver Jake Bobo, all of whom missed the opener due to injury. Nwosu’s 2025 debut will mark the culmination of a return from offseason knee surgery, the latest setback after a series of injury setbacks the past two seasons.
“We’ll see how many plays, but Chenna will make his debut,” Macdonald said. “We’re really excited. He’s working his tail off, he’s practicing great. We’re really happy for him because of the work that he’s put in. We had an initial timetable, and he’s knocked that out of the park, so we can’t wait to watch him play.”
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