Seahawks RB Jadarian Price SCRATCHED vs Titans Preseason
Seahawks Protect Rookie Star Jadarian Price: What You Need to Know About the Team’s Preseason Plan
The Big Picture: Safety First for the New Guy
The Seattle Seahawks have a shiny new toy in running back Jadarian Price, and they’re wrapping him in bubble wrap. The rookie first-round pick—brought in to replace Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, who left for Kansas City—will not play in either of the team’s final two preseason games.
IMPORTANT POINT
Price sits out both remaining preseason games: Sunday night vs. Tennessee Titans and Friday vs. Kansas City Chiefs. His debut will wait until the regular season opener on September 9 vs. New England Patriots.
Why Is Price Being Held Out?
Think of it like this: You just bought a brand-new sports car. You’re not going to take it off-roading on a muddy trail—you’ll save it for the highway. Here’s the Seahawks’ reasoning:
The "Too Valuable to Risk" List
- First-round investment – High draft capital spent on him
- Lead back role – Expected to be the primary running back
- Injury history – Missed a week with "upper-leg soreness" earlier this month
- Thin running back room – Other backs are already banged up this preseason
- Games don’t count – Preseason results don’t affect playoff chances
Coach Mike Macdonald said it perfectly: "It’s not responsible to give him a thousand carries after being down for a minute."
The Starters Are on Vacation (Almost)
It’s not just Price. Nearly the entire starting lineup is sitting out Sunday’s game in Nashville:
| Position | Key Players Sitting Out |
|---|---|
| Offense | QB Sam Darnold, WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Offensive Player of the Year), RB Jadarian Price |
| Defense | CB Devon Witherspoon (Pro Bowl), DT Leonard Williams (Pro Bowl), DE DeMarcus Lawrence (Pro Bowl), LB Ernest Jones |
The plan: Save everyone for Week 1 — September 9 — Seahawks vs. Patriots at Lumen Field (the NFL’s season-opening kickoff game).
Who Is Playing? The Quarterback Plan
Since the starters are resting, here’s the QB rotation for Sunday:
- First Half: Drew Lock (veteran backup) starts
- Second Half: Jalen Milroe (rookie) takes over
Note: Last week against Dallas, they rotated QBs each half. Macdonald wasn’t happy with the 17-7 loss, so he’s changing the approach.
The Real Story: The Cornerback Battle
With starters resting, the most exciting thing to watch Sunday is a position battle for the nickel cornerback spot (the defender who covers slot receivers).
The Contenders
| Player | Background | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Noah Igbinoghene | Veteran, former 1st-round pick (Miami), played nickel for Washington in 2023 under Dan Quinn | Alternating with Pritchett in 1st half |
| Nehemiah Pritchett | 2024 5th-round pick, unproven, needs to improve tackling | Alternating with Igbinoghene in 1st half |
The winner gets the inside track for the starting job. But there’s a twist…
The Plot Twist: Two Big Names Enter the Chat
1. Trevon Diggs — The Former All-Pro
- Signed last week (first practice Friday)
- 2-time All-Pro with Dallas Cowboys
- Hasn’t played a full season since 2022 (multiple serious injuries, including knee)
- Limited Friday — position drills only, no scrimmaging
- Says "maybe" he’ll play Friday vs. Chiefs
- Why he matters: Macdonald loves his "match-coverage" style for outside corners. If Diggs is healthy, Witherspoon moves inside to nickel (where he can blitz more).
2. Terrion Arnold — The Complicated Addition
- Agreed to terms 9 days ago (expected to sign within a week)
- 2023 1st-round pick by Detroit Lions
- Facing 8 felony charges (alleged kidnapping/burglary in Tampa, Feb 2024)
- Arrested in June, cut by Lions immediately
- Next court date: October 5 (day after Seahawks’ 4th game)
- Will go on Commissioner’s Exempt List — can attend meetings, cannot practice or play
- Seahawks’ hope: He plays by mid-to-late season
- Bonus: Signing him now keeps his rights for 2027 (restricted/exclusive-rights free agent)
IMPORTANT POINT
Arnold’s legal situation is serious. He faces possible life in prison. The Seahawks are betting on his talent and a favorable legal outcome. This is a high-risk, high-reward move.
How It All Shakes Out: The Cornerback Depth Chart
Right Now (Stop-Gap Plan)
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Outside CB | Devon Witherspoon |
| Nickel CB | Noah Igbinoghene |
| Outside CB | Riq Woolen (assumed) |
If Diggs Gets Healthy
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Outside CB | Trevon Diggs |
| Nickel CB | Devon Witherspoon ← Moves inside |
| Outside CB | Riq Woolen |
If Arnold Eventually Plays
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Outside CB | Terrion Arnold |
| Nickel CB | Devon Witherspoon |
| Outside CB | Trevon Diggs / Riq Woolen |
If Pritchett Wins the Job Sunday
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Outside CB | Nehemiah Pritchett |
| Nickel CB | Devon Witherspoon |
| Outside CB | Riq Woolen |
Quick Recap: What to Watch Sunday Night
- Igbinoghene vs. Pritchett — Who wins the nickel job for now?
- Drew Lock (1st half) & Jalen Milroe (2nd half) — How do the backup QBs look?
- George Holani — He got 1st-team reps at RB in joint practice; will he carry the load?
- Tennessee’s intensity — Their players were chirping hard in joint practice (Jeffery Simmons: "They’re out of gas! Super Bowl champs? Blah, blah, blah!")
Summary
- Jadarian Price (rookie RB) sits out both remaining preseason games — debut = Sept 9 vs. Patriots
- Almost all starters rest — saving for real games
- QB plan: Lock (1st half) → Milroe (2nd half) vs. Titans
- Main event: Igbinoghene vs. Pritchett for nickel CB job
- Wild cards: Trevon Diggs (working back from injuries) and Terrion Arnold (legal limbo, elite talent)
- Endgame: Macdonald wants Witherspoon at nickel — but needs healthy outside corners first
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
When will I finally see Jadarian Price play in a real game?
September 9, 2026 — the Seahawks’ season opener against the New England Patriots at Lumen Field. That’s the NFL’s kickoff game (primetime, national audience).
What is a "nickel cornerback" anyway?
Great question! In football, defenses usually have 2 cornerbacks. But in "nickel" packages (5 defensive backs), a 3rd cornerback comes in to cover the slot receiver (the guy lined up between the wide receiver and the offensive line). It’s essentially a starting role in today’s NFL because teams throw so much.
Why would the Seahawks sign Terrion Arnold with felony charges pending?
Two reasons: talent and contract control. Arnold was a 1st-round pick with elite cover skills that fit Macdonald’s scheme perfectly. By signing him now, Seattle keeps his rights through 2027 cheaply (restricted/exclusive-rights free agent). They’re betting the legal situation resolves favorably — but it’s a gamble.
Is Trevon Diggs washed up? He hasn’t played a full season since 2022.
Not necessarily "washed," but injury risk is real. He was an All-Pro in 2021-22 (11 INTs in ’21!). If he’s healthy, he’s a steal. If not, he’s a camp body. The Seahawks signed him to a low-risk deal — they lose little if it doesn’t work.
Why do preseason games exist if teams don’t play their stars?
Three reasons: (1) Roster evaluation — fringe players fight for jobs, (2) Scheme installation — coaches test play-calling in live action, (3) Money — the NFL sells TV rights and tickets. For fans, it’s a sneak peek at future stars (like Milroe, Pritchett, Holani).
Article based on reporting by Gregg Bell, The News Tribune Seahawks/NFL beat writer.