Ed Dickson isn't used to having to be patient when it comes to his health.
Through his first eight seasons, the veteran tight end missed only three games, and he played in all 16 games every season between 2013 and 2017. So it was an unusual experience for Dickson when, after joining the Seahawks as a free agent in 2018, he had to open the year on injured reserve due to a knee injury.
Dickson finished that season playing 10 games and making some significant contributions to Seattle's offense, but when training camp rolled around in 2019, another knee injury led to surgery, meaning a second straight year starting the season on IR.
"The most frustrating part about it is leaving your brothers out high and dry when you feel like you're working back into it," Dickson said. "For the last couple of weeks now, I've been traveling to the games, but to be out there not suited up and watching your brothers play, that's the deeper feeling that I get. Now I can contribute. I don't care if I'm run blocking all game, I'm contributing to an overall win."
Dickson returned to practice in Week 9, but had to wait for his chance to be added back to the 53-man roster. Wednesday was the deadline to activate Dickson or leave him on injured reserve for the rest of the season, and the Seahawks did just that, adding depth at a position that needs it thanks to Luke Willson's hamstring injury.
"It was a great time for him to be available to us," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. "He wanted to get back a couple weeks ago. We couldn't fit it in. Luke is kind of opening the door for him... Ed coming back is great. He's really excited to contribute and help out."
Dickson obviously would have preferred to be playing all season, but he also knows he stepping into a good situation with a chance to contribute to a season that has seen the Seahawks jump out to an 8-2 record.
"The time is now," he said. "I talked to coach about it, I talked to my position coach about it. You never want to be hurt or be out, but to come back when the team is doing as well as they're doing and to be able to help and continue that path that we're going on, it feels good… They've been playing very well, it's just continuing to do the things they've been doing, and I'm going to plug in wherever I plug in and keep trucking from there."
Dickson finished last season with 12 catches for 143 yards and three touchdowns, but he feels like he will be in a position to contribute even more this year having had more time in Seattle's offense and with Russell Wilson.
"The biggest difference is having two years under my belt in the offense," he said. "I'm not scrambling, I'm not second-guessing myself. I know it pretty well, I probably can teach it, and I'm just going out there and, whatever plays I have, just making them positive plays."
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seattle Seahawks' Week 10 game against the San Francisco 49ers. Eye on the Hawks is presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers.
Newly-acquired Seahawks receiver Josh Gordon heads for the team buses on his first road trip with the team.
A throng of fans waits near the Virginia Mason Athletic Center to see the team off for the trip to the Bay Area to face the San Francisco 49ers.
Seahawks cornerback Neiko Thorpe was stylish as ever on the tarmac as he waited to board the charter flight to the Bay Area.
Seahawks Ziggy Ansah, Branden Jackson and Luke Willson all wore various shades of maroon for the trip to face the 49ers.
Upon landing in San Jose, the team learned that the Seattle Sounders had won the MLS Cup and Jaron Brown, Russell Wilson and Neiko Thorpe honored the soccer team.
On Sunday, the offense held a brief walk-thru in a ballroom of the team's hotel.
The offense gathers at the end of their hotel walk-thru.
Seahawks center Joey Hunt listens as offensive line coach Mike Solari imparts instruction for the night's game.
Seahawks defensive lineman Branden Jackson strolls to the team buses on game day. Behind him is quarterback Geno Smith.
Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney was feeling good as he and Jarran Reed headed to the buses on game day.
Quarterback Russell Wilson signs autographs for fans at the team hotel.
Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin was stylish as he heads for the buses.
Safety Bradley McDougald stretches during the early warmup period at Levi's Stadium.
This 12 was at their first Seahawks game and it turned out to be an unforgettable evening.
The Seahawks gather once on the field for pregame warmups. At right is cornerback Shaquill Griffin.
Assistant coach Andre Curtis gives well-wishes to new safety Quandre Diggs as the players stretched during pregame warmups.
Defensive captain Bobby Wagner stretches during pregame.
Jarran Reed focuses during pregame warmups.
Receiver Josh Gordon gets ready for the game.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll greets former assistant and current 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh before the game.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Flowers takes a moment for himself before heading back to the locker room after pregame warmups.
Seahawks offensive tackle George Fant slaps hands with young fans watching the team head from the locker room to the field.
A military veteran flips the opening coin toss as captains from both teams watch.
Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin knocks away a pass intended for the 49ers Marquise Goodwin in the first half.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner wrestles down 49ers running back Matt Breida.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf is upended after a reception in the first half.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson throws from the pocket as Mike Iupati and Duane Brown provide protection.
Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister heads upfield with a reception in the first quarter.
Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed strips the ball away from 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo as SeattleÕs Poona Ford closes in.
Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney recovers a fumble caused by teammate Jarran Reed and heads for the end zone in the second quarter.
Seattle's Jadeveon Clowney stiff-arms San Francisco's Joe Staley on his way to a fumble recovery and touchdown in the second quarter.
Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney knocks down a pass by 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Seattle's DK Metcalf stiff-arms San FranciscoÕs Dre Greenlaw and heads upfield.
As Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf nears the end zone, he starts to get the ball stripped away, resulting in a fumble.
Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs returns an interception upfield for a 44-yard return in the second quarter.
Seahawks defensive teammates Tre Flowers, Bradley McDougald, Jarran Reed and Branden Jackson celebrate with Quandre Diggs after his first interception with the team.
Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister makes a falling, one-handed grab in the end zone for a touchdown in the third quarter.
Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister celebrates his third quarter touchdown.
Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney pressures 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in the second half.
Seahawks Branden Jackson and Poona Ford celebrate after Ford recovered a fumble caused by teammate Jadeveon Clowney.
Seahawks fans were loud and raucous supporting their team on the road at Levi's Stadium.
Seahawks defensive tackle Al Woods sacks the 49ers Jimmy Garoppolo in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson steps up as George Fant and Germain Ifedi provide a running lane.
Wide receiver Josh Gordon makes his first catch as a Seahawk, catching a pass on third down for a key first down conversion late in regulation.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers reacts after making a 46-yard field goal to give Seattle the lead with less than two minutes left in regulation.
Seahawks backup quarterback Geno Smith and 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman meet at midfield for the coin toss to determine possession in overtime. Smith called ÒheadsÓ and won the toss.
SeattleÕs Josh Gordon makes another key third down catch and a 14-yard gain, this time with 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman in coverage.
Seahawks receiver Malik Turner cuts back with a 28-yard reception in overtime.
Seattle's Russell Wilson throws under pressure to tight end Jacob Hollister in overtime.
Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister watches a pass intended for him is intercepted near the end zone in overtime by 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw.
San Francisco's Chase McLaughlin misses a potential game-winning field goal in overtime, giving Seattle possession.
Seattle's Chris Carson gallops for yardage on the Seahawks' final drive.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers connects on a 40-yard field goal as time expired in overtime to lift Seattle to a 27-24 win over the 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
A jubilant Jason Myers is lifted into the air by joyous teammates Geno Smith and Germain Ifedi after his game-winning field goal in overtime.
After the game, friends and former teammates Richard Sherman and Bobby Wagner playfully roughhoused as the teams shook hands.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman, both former teammates in Seattle, traded signed jerseys after the game.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll is exuberant in the team's locker room after the victory.
