There’s a chance Seattle Seahawks starting right tackle Abraham Lucas could return to practice this week, head coach Mike Macdonald told reporters during his Monday press conference.
Everett native Lucas, a third-round choice out of Washington State in 2022, has been rehabbing from offseason knee surgery and has been on the physically unable to perform list since mid-July. Lucas would require a “good chunk of practice time” before he is prepared to participate in a game, according to Macdonald, even if he does return to practice this week. The organisation must activate a player to the 53-man roster within 21 days of his return to practice, failing which he will be placed on the PUP list for the remainder of the season.
When questioned about Lucas, Macdonald stated, “There is a situation where he could come back and start practicing this week, but we haven’t finalised that.” But with Abe, it looks good from the front. Additionally, there is a procedure to prepare him to play when he returns. Therefore, I believe you’re looking at a considerable amount of practice time to get him ready to go play a game, even if he did start practicing. Lucas, a 6-foot-6, 322-pound rookie, had a successful season, starting 16 games and finishing 39th out of 81 tackles in the Pro Football Focus rating system. However, he only played six games last season due to a knee injury he sustained in the 2023 season opener.
Lucas was subsequently placed on the PUP list prior to training camp after undergoing knee surgery in January and missing the entire offseason program. The Seahawks are being careful and taking “the long game” approach to Lucas’ health, according to statements made by general manager John Schneider in August.
An offensive line that was reduced to its fourth option at right tackle in Sunday’s 34-14 victory over Atlanta would greatly benefit from Lucas’ return. Lucas was replaced at the beginning of the season by veteran backup George Fant, who was later placed on the injured reserve after suffering a knee injury in the first quarter. Fant was replaced by fourth-year backup Stone Forsythe, who started the following five games before sustaining a hand injury. The Seahawks started rookie sixth-round pick Michael Jerrell on Sunday after Forsythe was out. Jerrell had just graduated from the University of Findlay in Ohio, where he played collegiately at the Division II level.
“We’re working through that right now,” Macdonald said of the right tackle situation. “Mike Jerrell, obviously, if he had to go, we’d be excited about him. Working through George Fant’s situation. Same thing with Stone. And then Abe, whether or not we bring him back (for practice) on Wednesday or not, he won’t be ready to play this week.
“So I think it’s really between Stone, George and Mike Jerrell.”
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