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Tyler Lockett Expected To Play & Other Notes From Mike Macdonald's Friday Press Conference

News and notes from Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald ahead of his team’s season opener against Denver.

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The Seahawks wrapped up their practice week Friday afternoon, which means the preparation is nearly done, though not quite yet, for Sunday's season opener against the Denver Broncos.

And for Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald, that means the past seven months of work he has put in since being hired on January 31 will be on display at Lumen Field for the first time. For Macdonald, however, Sunday's game isn't about what he has built along with general manager and president of football operations John Schneider, but rather about his players having a chance to put on display all the hard work they have done dating back to the start of offseason workouts in April.

"I'm excited to see our guys play," Macdonald said. "They've been working really, really hard. They've earned the opportunity to go out there and showcase the work that they've put in. Me personally, I've still got some work to do between now and the game, so I'm focused on that. Then when the game hits, I'm sure it'll hit pretty hard, but it's not time yet."

Asked if he would be nervous for his first game as a head coach, Macdonald laughed and said, "I'm always nervous. Have you met me?"

Injury Updates

The Seahawks head into their opener relatively healthy, but will be without outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu, who injured his knee in Seattle's final preseason game, and tight end Pharoah Brown, who injured his foot during joint practices against the Titans. Both players were ruled out on Friday's injury report after not practicing all week.

The news is better on receiver Tyler Lockett, who is listed as questionable with a thigh injury but is expected to play, after being limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday and a full participant on Friday.

"Tyler looks good," Macdonald said. "We expect him to play, he's been limited all week, but I expect him to be out there."

Jerome Baker ready to go.

Linebacker Jerome Baker practiced fully this week and was not on the injury report, but he is playing catchup having missed the preseason and a significant portion of camp with a hamstring injury. Despite the time off, Baker is ready to go, Macdonald said.

"He looks good," he said. "I think he's confident. Not having to actually bring someone to the ground is something a little bit new to him, but he's a pro. He'll be fine. I'm excited to see him play."

Earlier in the week, fellow linebacker Tyrel Dodson noted that he and Baker have been spending extra time together off the field to build chemistry and make up for the time they've missed practicing together. Macdonald sees that effort paying off.

"We want all our guys hanging out outside the building, and it's cool to hear they do that a bunch," Macdonald said. "Guys are working well together. It'll be a relationship that will hopefully grow for a long time. There has to be a chemistry between those two guys. You can tell that it's paying off out there."

Brian Eayrs' big gameday role.

Brian Eayrs, the team's research analyst, isn't new to the organization, but he has a new gameday role that is a significant one assisting Macdonald. Eayrs, who was hired by Pete Carroll in 2013, will spend games this season in the coaches' box with a headset, offering feedback to Macdonald, including on when to challenge plays. For much of Carroll's tenure, that role was held by longtime Carroll assistant and confidant Carl Smith.

"Brian Eayrs is doing a great job with all that type of stuff," Macdonald said. "He's the guy in my ear, we're talking constantly.

"Everybody needs someone that does it, and Brian has a great passion for the Seahawks, one, which I really appreciate, he came highly regarded from John (Schneider) when we got here. Great spirit about him, unbelievable enthusiasm, works incredibly hard. He has done a lot of work between February 1 and now. You name it, he's been a tremendous asset for our team, for me. Just an awesome guy to be around. He loves football, he's really, really smart, he's a great communicator, he put together a ton of presentations for the team. "Always looking around corners, chasing edges, I love his attitude. Not enough good things to say about Brian."

As for fourth down decision making, Macdonald said a lot of those situations are predetermined going into drives based on down and distance and location on the field, but on offense in particular, he will rely on feedback from offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb.

"We're all part of it throughout the week," Macdonald said. "When it happens in real time, some certain situations, you go to Grubb on like confidence level, because there's numbers involved, but for the most part we know of know going throughout the drive, and it ultimately will be my decision."

Check out the Seahawks 53-man roster for the 2024 season.

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