Alright, so get this: After a whole weekend off, the team was back on the practice fields Monday for a bonus session gearing up for Week 2, and TreVeyon Henderson, man, he was out there! That’s the first time we’ve seen our running back since August 24, which is when he went down with that ankle injury. You gotta believe everyone watching breathed a sigh of relief seeing him back.
Key Returns and Critical Absences
Henderson wasn’t the only guy making a comeback, either. Offensive lineman Ben Brown, who’s been sidelined since he picked up a knee injury in the preseason opener, also hit the field. Head coach Mike Vrabel was pretty cautious about it, saying they’d “probably try to do some stuff today,” and they’d “see where they are.” It’s not a full-go stamp, but just having those two bodies back out there has to be a boost, especially after the Week 1 loss. We need every single dude healthy and ready to roll. But hold up, it wasn’t all good news on the injury front. The defense was missing captain Robert Spillane from practice. The 30-year old linebacker, who we know was managed at times last season, was present in the locker room and even spoke to reporters, but he wasn’t practicing. That’s a huge absence for the defensive leadership. On top of that, third-string quarterback Behren Morton, a rookie, and fellow rookie offensive tackle Dametrious Crownover were also out, and the reasons for their absence? Totally unknown. Plus, there’s gonna be some churn on the practice squad. We saw new wide receiver Chandler Brayboy out there, which looks like it’s a response to A.J. Brown’s injury. And outside linebacker Xavier Holmes, who was with the team through the offseason before his own injury and roster cuts, was also back on the field.
Back to Basics After Week 1
You know what this all screams? A complete reset. After that tough Week 1 loss, the team was in full pads on Monday, and the focus was laser-sharp on the fundamentals. Vrabel made it clear, saying, “I mean, we’re a big fundamental emphasis here today.” He’s talking about tightening up the technique, all those little things that actually win football games. He wants the ball going exactly where it’s supposed to go when the defense gives them an opening. He’s demanding improvements on defensive checks, making sure they can “can the play, then can it or alert it or whatever that may be defensively, our checks and everything else.” Even special teams are getting a close look to “build on some of the good stuff.” This isn’t just a practice; it’s a statement. They’re not letting that Week 1 L define them.
The team’s gonna roll into a typical in-season week now, with three more practices on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, followed by those injury reports we’ll all be glued to. Then, it’s the home opener on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET against the Pittsburgh Steelers. They need to get these fundamentals dialed in and those returning guys ready, because that Steelers game is massive.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
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