Seahawks Preseason Update: Rookies Rest, Stars Sit, and Cornerback Battle Heats Up

Why the Seahawks Are Playing It Safe This Preseason

The Seattle Seahawks are wrapping up their practice games before the real season starts, and they’re being very careful with their most important players. Think of preseason games like practice scrimmages—they don’t count toward your final record, but players can still get hurt.

IMPORTANT POINT
No starters playing: Almost all of Seattle’s best players on both offense and defense will not play in the final two preseason games. They’re saving themselves for the real season opener on September 9th against the New England Patriots.

The Jadarian Price Situation: Why the Rookie RB Is Sitting Out

Who Is Jadarian Price?

First-round draft pick this spring (the team’s very first selection)
Brought in to replace Kenneth Walker, who left for Kansas City in free agency
Walker was a Super Bowl MVP (the best player in the championship game)

Why Price Won’t Play in Preseason

Too valuable to risk – Coach Mike Macdonald and General Manager John Schneider have seen enough in practice
Running back room is thin – Other backs are already injured this preseason
Coming back from injury – Price missed a week with "upper-leg soreness" earlier this month
Opponents playing rough – Titans starters plan to play the first half aggressively

COACH’S WORDS
"He’s ramping back. It’s not responsible to give him a thousand carries after being down for a minute." — Coach Mike Macdonald

What Price Did Show in Practice

Speed and quick decision-making
Good at finding gaps in the "outside-zone" running scheme
Catches passes well out of the backfield
Got a few carries and catches in joint practice with Titans

Quarterback Plan: Lock Starts, Milroe Finishes

Game Half	Quarterback	Notes
First Half	Drew Lock	Veteran backup, expected to start
Second Half	Jalen Milroe	Rookie, will get extended playing time

Change from last week: They won’t rotate both QBs each quarter like they did against Dallas (a 17-7 loss that left Coach Macdonald unhappy).

The Big Story: Cornerback Position Battle

With all starters sitting, the most interesting thing to watch is who wins the third cornerback spot (nickel corner).

What’s a "Nickel Corner"?

In modern football, teams often use five defensive backs instead of four. The fifth one is called the "nickel" (like 5 cents). This has become Seattle’s base defense under Coach Macdonald.

The Contenders for Nickel Corner

1. Noah Igbinoghene (Veteran)

Experience: Former first-round pick by Miami Dolphins
Background: Converted to nickel corner last year by Dan Quinn (former Seahawks DC, now Commanders HC)
Status: Has the inside track as the temporary starter

2. Nehemiah Pritchett (Rookie)

Drafted: 5th round pick in 2024
Strengths: Good coverage skills
Needs work: Tackling – this game is his chance to prove he can tackle well
If he wins: Would play outside, moving Devon Witherspoon inside to nickel

The Wildcards: Two Big Names Coming Soon

Trevon Diggs

Former All-Pro with Dallas Cowboys
Signed last week – first practice Friday (limited to drills)
Injury history: Multiple serious injuries, hasn’t played full season since 2022
Timeline: "Maybe" ready for Friday’s game at Kansas City
If healthy: Fits Macdonald’s preferred "match-coverage" style perfectly
Impact: Would move Devon Witherspoon back inside to nickel (where Macdonald thinks he’s best)

Terrion Arnold

Former 1st round pick by Detroit Lions (2 years ago)
Agreed to sign with Seahawks 9 days ago
Legal situation: Facing 8 felony charges (kidnapping, burglary) in Florida
Next court date: October 5th (day after Seahawks’ 4th game)
NFL status: Will go on "Commissioner’s Exempt List" – can attend meetings but can’t practice or play
Seahawks’ hope: Might play by mid-to-late season
Roster benefit: Signing now keeps his rights for 2027 season

IMPORTANT LEGAL NOTE
Terrion Arnold’s signing is controversial due to serious pending felony charges. The Seahawks are betting on his talent and potential legal resolution, but he cannot play until the NFL removes him from the exempt list.

How This Shakes Out: Three Possible Scenarios

Scenario A: Stop-Gap Solution (Most Likely Now)

Outside corners: Devon Witherspoon + Trevon Diggs (when ready)
Nickel corner: Noah Igbinoghene (veteran stability)
Pritchett: Develops on practice squad or as backup

Scenario B: Pritchett Wins the Job

Outside corners: Devon Witherspoon + Nehemiah Pritchett
Nickel corner: Devon Witherspoon moves inside
Diggs/Arnold: Provide depth when ready

Scenario C: The "Dream" Scenario (Mid-Late Season)

Outside corners: Trevon Diggs + Terrion Arnold
Nickel corner: Devon Witherspoon (his "best position" per coaches)
Igbinoghene/Pritchett: Valuable depth

Joint Practice with Titans: What Happened

Location: Vanderbilt Health Sports Center in Nashville
Temperature: Felt like 100 degrees on the field
Intensity: Titans players "went all out," trash-talking Seahawks
Titans star DT Jeffery Simmons: "They’re out of gas! Super Bowl champs? Blah, blah, blah!"
Seahawks starters: Got work in controlled practice environment (safer than game)

Summary: What You Need to Know

Preseason doesn’t matter for records – only for evaluation and health
All stars sitting – Price, Darnold, Witherspoon, Williams, Lawrence, Smith-Njigba, Jones all out until Sept 9
Price is the future at RB – but protected carefully after minor injury
Cornerback battle is the main event – Igbinoghene vs. Pritchett for nickel spot
Two All-Pro caliber corners coming – Diggs (soon) and Arnold (legal limbo)
Devon Witherspoon is the chess piece – coaches want him at nickel, but need outside corners first
Season starts Sept 9 – vs Patriots at Lumen Field (Super Bowl 60 rematch)

FAQ: Your Questions Answered

Why don’t NFL teams play their stars in preseason?

Simple answer: Risk vs. reward. Preseason games don’t count, but injuries do. Teams learned that losing a star player in a meaningless game can ruin a whole season. Joint practices give controlled work against other teams without the chaos of live games.

What’s the difference between "outside corner" and "nickel corner"?

Outside corner lines up wide near the sideline, usually covering the other team’s best receiver one-on-one. Nickel corner plays in the slot (between the wide receiver and the offensive line), covering quicker receivers, blitzing, and helping against the run. Different skills needed!

Can Terrion Arnold really play this year with felony charges?

It’s complicated. The NFL put him on the "Commissioner’s Exempt List" – basically paid leave where he can’t practice or play. He could be activated if his legal case resolves favorably, but October 5th court date makes mid-season the earliest realistic possibility. The Seahawks are planning for 2027 roster control too.

Is Jadarian Price injured seriously?

No. "Upper-leg soreness" sounds minor – probably a strain or bruise. The key phrase is "ramping back." They’re being extra cautious because: (1) he’s the future at RB, (2) other backs are hurt, (3) Titans play dirty in preseason. He’ll be ready for Week 1.

Why did the Seahawks sign Diggs and pursue Arnold if they have Witherspoon?

Witherspoon is GREAT at nickel corner (inside). But they need two good outside corners to let him play there. Diggs and Arnold both excel at the "match-coverage" style Macdonald loves for outside corners. It’s about putting your best players in their best positions.

Article based on reporting by Gregg Bell, The News Tribune Seahawks beat writer since 2005.

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