SEATTLE, Wash. — The Seahawks are making some big moves before their preseason home opener against the Dallas Cowboys Saturday.
Nick Emmanwori, who was placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list at the start of training camp, passed his physical Tuesday. This comes just a month after he had surgery on an ankle that’s been an issue since before Super Bowl LX.
A press release from the Seahawks notes that while Emmanwori was able to participate in offseason workouts, the move to do surgery on his ankle shortly before training camp was to “give him a better long-term outlook with the ankle.”
“I think the best way to describe it is something that he’s been dealing with since the Super Bowl, he was able to perform, like able to train, do some things in the offseason program, but just got to the point where it was the best for him for the long term, just to go ahead and get it fixed,” Seahawks Head Coach Mike Macdonald said.
Although Macdonald has yet to confirm Emmanwori’s availability for week one, this marks a huge first step in his recovery and eventual return.
While Emmanwori is set to return, Robbie Ouzts is officially out. The Seahawks put the second-year fullback on injured reserve Tuesday. Macdonald did not reveal the nature or extent of his injury.
Ouzts dealt with both an ankle and neck injury in his rookie season last year.
Brady Russell is the next man up on the roster and will take Ouzts’ place as starting full-back for now.
With the roster slot open, the Seahawks picked up linebacker Aaron Smith. Smith previously spent time in New York, signing with the Jets last year after going undrafted in the 2025. He was waived “prior to the start of the season,” according to Seahawks.com Senior Reporter John Boyle.
The Seahawks kickoff their preseason Saturday, Aug. 15 at 5 p.m. against the Dallas Cowboys.
©2026 Cox Media Group
