NASHVILLE—For the third straight year under head coach Mike Macdonald, the Seahawks hit the road for a joint practice, taking the field with the Titans on Friday for the second session of joint practice in the past three years with Tennessee.
"Going into today, our goal was to get great work; I think we accomplished that goal," Macdonald said. "It's an awesome opportunity to have a pretty heavy practice in this heat and humidity—I think they said it's a little bit cooler than it's been here, which is kind of crazy—so we had some guys down with some cramps and things like that, but overall, a great work day."
In addition to some unfortunate injury news regarding receiver Jake Bobo, here are six observations from Friday's practice:
1. After missing a bit of camp with an injury, Jadarian Price is back and showing that he's "a really special player.'
Jadarian Price, Seattle's first-round pick in this year's draft, missed a bit of camp due to what Macdonald described as upper-leg soreness, has been back on the field throughout the past week following the team's preseason opener, and on Friday, the rookie back put on display some of what has the Seahawks so excited about his game.
Price had a nice over-the-shoulder catch for a big gain early in practice in a seven-on-seven drill, then later in 11-on-11, he broke off a big run, taking a run through a nice hole up the middle before bouncing the run outside to get to the sideline.
"He's a special player," said quarterback Sam Darnold. "He's a really special player. He brings a different facet to the offense that only a guy like him can bring. Whether it's catching passes out of the backfield, catching screens, running in between the tackles, outside of the tackles, he can really do it all. And I know he's just going to continue to get better and learn."
Price had multiple catches in the practice, and was one of several running backs showing up in the passing game, including Velus Jones Jr., who had multiple catches, including a touchdown from Jalen Milroe, and George Holani, who had a touchdown reception in a red zone drill, getting open on a wheel route out of the backfield before making an over-the-shoulder catch on a well-placed pass from Darnold.
"They're doing a great job out of the backfield," Darnold said of the running backs' pass-catching ability. "Even when they're not out of the backfield, in the slot, being able to catch and do all the things we ask them to do. Obviously in camp, things happen, receivers go down, tight ends go down, fullbacks go down, and those running backs have been able to just step up in whatever position we ask them to play. They've been very versatile all camp, and really, really good catching the ball out of the backfield or even in the slot or out wide."
2. Ty Okada had the play of the day on defense with a pick six.
Safety Ty Okada had the play of the day on the defensive side of the ball in Friday's practice with a pick six of Titans quarterback Cam Ward. On a ball that was intended for receiver Carnell Tate, the interception was thanks to a good read by Okada.
"I was coming down over the middle, tried to get him to get his eyes off of me and then on a crossing route was just able to read it and play off of him and go out there and make a play," Okada said.
After Okada heard the play call, he knew that he had a chance to go and make a play.
"We're able to give the quarterback a different read and a different look on that play, so it was a great call by Coach Mike (Macdonald)," Okada said. "I was just able to take advantage of it, which was nice."
This play was another example of how he was able to earn a starting role last season, in place of injured players.
"It's me versus me every single day," he said. "I want every single DB in the DB room in Seattle to be the best versions of themselves day in and day out. And if we all do that, we're going to continue to grow as a group and that's only going to further help the defense and the team. And so ultimately, it's just me looking in the mirror and trying to grow any way that I can on and off the field."
3. Practice did get a little chippy for a few brief moments, but for the most part both teams handled themselves well.
As is the case for a lot of joint practices, the play on the field did get a little chippy at times, but it was nothing too serious and Macdonald said he thought the Seahawks handled it "really well today" and there was a lot of value for the starters in Friday's practice.
"There's going to be some excess energy at some point, but it's how well you kind of collect yourself, take a deep breath and get to the next play," he said. "So our guys knew that it was really important for us today to get great work in. And so that was really our focus. And I think we hit that target for the most part, which is great. And we got a lot of reps in. If you play starters in a preseason game, you're looking at maybe upwards of 20 reps, but now you're getting upwards of 40 or 50 really good physical reps, but in a more controlled environment, which is a positive for everybody. But you got to nail the execution. It takes both clubs to work together. It takes both teams to work together. There's a lot of logistics involved. And so that's why I think why I'm so pleased is just it took everybody kind of pushing in the same direction to get it done today."
There was talk amongst players and messaging from coaches about making the most of the practice.
"There were some reminders," Okada said. "But it was more just about 'Hey this is important work and we need these reps, we can't waste time.' It was good that it didn't go to where it needed to go."
Jones added, "We didn't come here to fight, man. I've been telling guys, we came here to work, man. We want good work. We want to see where we're at, see where our defense is at, see where our offense is at."
4. Rashid Shaheed showed some serious toughness.
Literally every day of camp could have an observation about Jaxon Smith-Njigba being basically impossible to defend, and that was true again Friday, with Smith-Njigba making several nice catches, including an over-the-shoulder catch on a deep ball from Sam Darnold, but plenty of other receivers also deserve having the spotlight on the work they're doing in camp, including Rashid Shaheed.
Shaheed had a number of catches to continue what has been a strong camp, but one thing he put on display Friday that he hasn't been able to in practice—because Seahawks players take care of their teammates in practice—is some serious toughness.
Attempting to make a catch over the middle, Shaheed was blasted by Titans cornerback Alontae Taylor, who lowered his helmet before leaving his feet to deliver a hard blow to Shaheed's chest. Shaheed stayed down for a few moments in obvious pain, but was quickly back in action. Shaheed made a nice catch on the sideline a few plays later for a first down, then held the ball up before dropping it at the feet of Titans players on their sideline.
"I would like to not put a receiver in a situation like that, but I also would have thought the DB wouldn't have hit him," Darnold said.
Darnold said Shaheed told him, while still on the ground, that he got the wind knocked out of him, and which point Darnold could relax a bit, saying, "All right, you're good."
"When he confirmed that, I felt a lot better," Darnold said. "Not that I want to continue to do that, but he showed a lot of toughness."
A few plays later, Velus Jones Jr., perhaps remembering the hard hit his teammate had received moments earlier, took a run to the left sideline, turned the corner, then lowered his shoulder and to level safety Jerrick Reed II with a blow that knocked the former Seahawk clear off of his feet and sent him tumbling over backwards.
5. Mike Macdonald thought there were some good and not so good things about how the defense practiced.
While the Seahawks had some good plays like the aforementioned Okada pick-six, or a Josh Jobe pass breakup in the endzone they also had plays they probably wished they could have back, like a Titans touchdown during the two-minute drill. And Macdonald emphasized that, that was all a part of the process.
"I think we're going to watch the tape and like a lot of things we saw, and then we're going to watch the tape and not like some things," he said. "It's kind of par for the course, but I think it's a great opportunity. You're going against a different operation, different run schemes, different pass game, play our rules out, just kind of go play ball. And so there's some things that are off the top of my head that are not above the line, which we'll attack those and get those things figured out. But overall, I thought it was a good day."
Linebacker Ernest Jones IV said he likes the joint practices because it's not often he's playing in a live game during the preseason, so playing against another offense are good reps for him, but he knows they could have been better.
"I think we played pretty well," he said. "Our standard is perfection, so we're not happy. We gave them some things and then some things that we just got to correct. But overall, I think for the ones, got a lot of plays in, got a lot of good work, so we should kind of go into the games feeling good."
He added, "When I say perfection, we don't want you to get a yard. We don't want none of that. And when you do get that, it pisses us off. So that's just where my frustration is. And I don't want them to get nothing. I want it to be no Bueno, no good for them. And that's what we want as a defense. And like you said, they're in the NFL for a reason. They're going to make plays. They're going to find the soft parts in our coverage."
6. Second-year tight end Elijah Arroyo continues to be a matchup problem for opponents.
Almost as soon as Friday's practice transitioned from warmups and position drills, second-year tight end Elijah Arroyo had one of the earliest highlights of the day, getting behind the defense for a long completion from Drew Lock. Arroyo, a second-round pick in last year's draft, had several other catches throughout practice, including a touchdown from Darnold in a red-zone drill. After a relatively quiet rookie season that included a stint on injured reserve, Arroyo looks poised to be a big part of Seattle's passing game this year, providing real matchup problems for opponents with his combination of size, speed and route running.
The Seahawks traveled to Nashville, Tennessee and participated in a joint practice with the Titans on Friday, August 21.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks cornerback Trevon Diggs (16) and cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks cornerback Trevon Diggs (16) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) and wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. (56) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (32) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (32) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks cornerback Trevon Diggs (16) and cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks cornerback Trevon Diggs (16) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) and defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (16) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks cornerback Trevon Diggs (16) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks nose tackle Deven Eastern (97) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. (56) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) and wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (17) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) with Titans head coach Robert Saleh at practice on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks guard Beau Stephens (60) and center Olu Oluwatimi (55) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (84) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (84) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. (87) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (55), guard Christian Haynes (64) and tackle Josh Jones (74) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Seahawks practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks running back Velus Jones Jr. (33) and wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (84) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Seahawks practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (17) and safety Ty Okada (39) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks linebacker Chris Paul Jr. (49), Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) and linebacker Aaron Smith (42) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks safety Bud Clark (9) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (32) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald with Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) at practice on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks tackle Bobby Hart (68) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks center Federico Maranges (62) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) and nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks cornerback Trevon Diggs (16) at practice on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11)and running back George Holani (36) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Seahawks practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks guard Christian Haynes (64) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks tackle/guard Mason Richman (78) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (55) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks long snapper Chris Stoll (41) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) and guard Grey Zabel (76) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks cornerback Michael Dansby (37) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks cornerback Michael Dansby (37) and safety Bud Clark (9) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Seahawks practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
The 12s attended practice on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
The 12s attended practice on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
The 12s attended practice on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
The 12s attended practice on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
The 12s attended practice on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
The 12s attended practice on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks nose tackle J.R. Singleton (70) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks linebacker Aidan Hubbard (93) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks center Jalen Sundell (61) and guard Grey Zabel (76) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (84) and quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks linebacker Power Echols (46) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks tight end Nick Vannett (83) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) and tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) practiced on Friday, August 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
