The Seahawks were back in action Thursday following a day off, and for the first time in camp, they practiced in pads. A padded practice was just one reason that Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald described the day as awesome and as "an all-around good day."
Here are five observations on that awesome day of camp.
1. Several factors contributed to Thursday being a great day at camp.
Macdonald liked what he saw on Thursday first and foremost because of the action on the field, but that wasn't the only positive that came out of the day. On a perfect picture day along the shores of Lake Washington, bald eagles flew around throughout practice, a regular occurrence outside of the Virginia Mason Athletic Center, and with Seafair Weekend coming up, the Blue Angels were also in the sky, practicing for this weekend's performances.
"I don't know if it gets much better than this," Macdonald said. "Beautiful weather, training camp, pads on, playing football, you've got bald eagles flying, you've got the Blue Angels in the sky. It's pretty awesome. We're very blessed, it was an awesome day, a great practice, guys got after it, 10 a.m. practice coming off an off day, guys were in it. It was just an all-around really great day. Really pleased."
2. The physicality increased with pads on, and Byron Murphy II was again one of the stars.
The roar of the Blue Angels overhead might be the most unique sound in NFL training camps, but another sound from Thursday, the popping of pads hitting each other, has to be one of the best sounds.
Football teams can and do get a lot of good work done in practice without pads, all of those reps matter, but it starts to feel a bit more like football when the pads do come on. The Seahawks aren't tackling to the ground in practice, but the action on the field Thursday was definitely more physical than it had been during the previous four days of camp.
"The circumstances change, the physicality of the game," Macdonald said You can feel guys a little bit more, which is nice… "When you do put pads on, it is more playing football again."
And one player thriving in the first padded practice was third-year defensive tackle Byron Murphy II, who among other highlights, was again dominant in one-on-one pass-rush drills.
"I really expect Murphy to have a spike in productivity rushing the passer," Macdonald said. "He's earned it, but he does it every day, and it's great work for our offensive line. He's in a great spot."
3. Rookie safety Bud Clark continues to improve.
Bud Clark, a second-round pick out of TCU, had what Macdonald described as the rookie's best practice of camp on Tuesday, and backed that up with another strong showing on Thursday. The Seahawks are a long way away from finalizing roles in the secondary, but if Clark continues to improve as he has in the first day of his first NFL camp, he'll have a good chance at finding a role in a very talented secondary.
"Bud's done a nice job," Macdonald said. "I'm looking forward to watching today's practice. He had probably his best practice so far in the last practice, so we'll see what it looked like today. But great spirit, executing well, communicating well. He's put a lot of work in. He's done a great job."
4. Tyrice Knight is pushing for playing time.
After finishing his rookie season as a starter, linebacker Tyrice Knight headed into the 2025 season looking poised for a big second season, but unfortunately a knee injury suffered in camp, plus the emergence of Drake Thomas, led to Knight losing his starting job. Knight still found ways to make big contributions last year, both as a fill in for injured teammates and on special teams, and after a strong start to camp, he is again pushing to get on the field whether as a starter or in some other role. And as the Seahawks have shown in recent years, Macdonald isn't afraid to rotate players if non-starters show they're deserving of that opportunity.
"Tyrice has had a great camp, he really has," Macdonald said. "He has done a great job, and there's ways to get him out there. That's a great example of, you don't need to be counting the people ahead of you, where do I stand on the depth chart? Just put my best foot forward in all the things, and let us figure out how to get you on the field. Put that burden on the coaches to make sure that we've got the best guys out there. He's definitely applying pressure right now, which is great."
5. A Nick Emmanwori update, and other injury news.
The Seahawks welcomed one player back to the practice field Thursday, with rookie defensive tackle Deven Eastern coming off the physically unable to perform list and practicing for the first time in camp. Among those still sidelined and on the PUP list is safety Nick Emmanwori, who had surgery on his ankle earlier this month.
"He's in an adverse situation, and he's attacking it, and that's all you can ask him to do," Macdonald said. "He's made a lot of progress, which is exciting. It's one of these things where you don't want to put a timetable on it, because you don't want to limit it, but just go rip it every day. We've got people surrounding him, and let's go see what we get. He's done a great job, it's not going to be easy, but he's just the man for the job."
On receiver Jake Bobo and rookie cornerback Julian Neal, who both missed practice, Macdonald said, "Nothing long-term, just a couple of things they're working through, camp type of stuff. It's a bummer, but we'll get them back soon."
Macdonald was also asked about a few other players who have missed time recently, nose tackle Brandon Pili, outside linebacker Jamie Sheriff and outside linebacker Jared Ivey, saying, "They're dealing with some things, training camp things, they'll be back. Nothing crazy going on right now, just training camp stuff."
The Seahawks held their fourth practice of training camp on Tuesday, July 28 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
/Seahawks safety Bud Clark (9) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle/guard Mason Richman (78) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. (87) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Logan Brown (73) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Bud Clark (9) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Bud Clark (9) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Bud Clark (9) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (75) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jacardia Wright (31) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Federico Maranges (62) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) and punter Michael Dickson (4) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) and cornerback Josh Jobe (29) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Christian Haynes (64) and defensive end Mike Morris (94) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson (27) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (75) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Beau Stephens (60) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Bud Clark (9) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) and running back Jadarian Price (8) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks center Jalen Sundell (61) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety Bud Clark (9), linebacker Derick Hall (58) and head coach Mike Macdonald on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (33) on day four of training camp on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
