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Wednesday Practice Report: K.J. Wright Ruled Out For Seahawks at Broncos

Rookie linebacker Shaquem Griffin will get the start when Seattle opens the 2018 regular season in Denver.

Sep 05, 2018 at 07:10 PM

The Seahawks will be without starting weakside linebacker K.J. Wright when they open the 2018 regular season Sunday against the Broncos in Denver. That was the word from Seattle head coach Pete Carroll prior to Wednesday's practice at Virginia Mason Athletic Center, where Wright was sidelined from the day's work after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his knee last week. Despite the setback, Carroll said Wright "looks really good" and the team is "holding high hopes" the Pro Bowler will return to game action sooner than later.

"He'd probably surprise you," Carroll said. "He hasn't been out of surgery for even two weeks yet, maybe it's two right now, but he looks fantastic. We'll see what happens next Wednesday – Thursday and see where he is."

With Carroll ruling Wright out, rookie linebacker Shaquem Griffin will get the start for Seattle's defense.

"Yes, in that regard yeah," said Carroll.

On Griffin, defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. added: "He's been surrounded by some really good players, Bobby (Wagner) and K.J. and (Barkevious) Mingo, guys that have been in the league for a while, so he's kind of taken a back seat and really learned at a rookie's pace. Now that he's been able to play a little bit in the preseason he sees the game speeds up a little bit, but he's been amazing. It's been fun to coach him, it's been fun to watch his growth. The question that he's been asked over the days and weeks have been improving and getting better and it's just amazing to watch his development. As coaches, watching young players develop, that's what it's all about; watching him grow and develop and run and hit and do the things that we expected him to do when we drafted him. It's really good to see."

Elsewhere on the injury front, offensive lineman D.J. Fluker (hamstring) did not participate in Wednesday's practice. "We'll see" was Carroll's response when asked about Fluker's status heading into Sunday's game.

Dion Jordan (knee), meanwhile, was limited Wednesday. Carroll said the defensive end could play against Denver.

"He's ready to go," Carroll said. "So he's got a chance to play this week."

Veteran receiver Doug Baldwin (knee), who did not participate in any preseason games, was a full participant in Wednesday's practice and is on track to play this weekend.

"I think the guys have done a really good job with Doug," Carroll said. "There was a long range plan way-back-when, when we had figured out needed to rest on some to get them back and the idea was to ramp them up so that he would be in great condition last week and he could play and he was. He's handling it really well. He's in great shape, he's an extraordinarily well-conditioned guy. He's on a little bit different scale in terms of the pitch count because he's been with us – he's been working, he's in marvelous condition – we've held him back in essence. We're anxious to cut him loose. He's really ready to go, if you can imagine."

Running back Rashaad Penny (hand) was also a full participant Wednesday, as was offensive lineman J.R. Sweezy (ankle), safety Tedric Thompson (rib), and cornerback Neiko Thorpe (wrist).

Here's a look at Wednesday's practice reports for the Seahawks and Broncos: