RENTON — Will former quarterback Tarvaris Jackson don a Seattle Seahawks jersey again?
The seven-year pro, as first reported by ESPN and confirmed by a team source, had planned to visit Seattle this week. If re-signed by the Seahawks, Jackson would compete with Brady Quinn for the backup job.
Jackson was cut by Buffalo on Monday when the Bills narrowed the competition for their starting quarterback job to veteran Kevin Kolb and first-round draft choice E.J. Manual. In his only season with Seattle, Jackson played most of 2011 with a torn pectoral muscle, finishing 7-7 as the team’s starter.
“He’s loved in the locker room because of what he did for us in 2011,” wide receiver Doug Baldwin said. “He fought through injuries, and was able to put his best foot forward out on the field. And like I said, the guys in the locker room love him. And he’s got unbelievable knowledge about the game.”
Baldwin believes there is a possibility that Jackson returns to Seattle. He talked with Jackson on Monday after he was released.
“He was a little distraught about the situation,” Baldwin said. “But he’s got his spirits up. He’s just looking for the next opportunity, and hopefully it’s with the Seattle Seahawks.”
Miller sits with sore foot
Seahawks tight end Zach Miller wore a boot on his left foot and did not practice on Tuesday, the team’s first day of mandatory minicamp. Carroll said Miller has a sore foot on the same leg that he suffered a torn plantar fascia after the NFC divisional playoff loss at Atlanta.
However, Carroll said the injury to Miller is different.
“He has a sore foot, so we’re just resting it,” Carroll said. “I think we know exactly what’s going on, but it’s not going to be a serious problem. He just needs a little rest.”
With Miller out, second-year pro Sean McGrath worked with the starters, and rookie Luke Willson came in as a the second tight end when the Seahawks worked two tight-end sets.
While Miller watched, a host of Seattle players returned from nagging injuries, including free agent addition defensive end Cliff Avril.
Avril did not practice during the team’s organized team activities because of a foot issue. But he worked through individual drills on Tuesday, and watched the team portion of practice from the sidelines.
“It feels great to be back,” Avril said. “It’s lonely out there on the sidelines as a player. So to get back out here and move around and build that camaraderie on the defensive line, it felt great.”
Extra points
Defensive end Chris Clemons travelled from his native Georgia to attend this week’s mandatory minicamp. Clemons, who had ACL reconstructive knee surgery in January, appeared in good shape while watching his position group go through individual drills. He did not wear a brace on his surgically repaired knee. “Is he going to make it back for the first game? I don’t know,” Pete Carroll said. “He has a chance. And if it can happen, we’ll make it happen. But like I’ve said the whole time, we will not rush that.” … Right tackle Breno Giacomini returned to practice on Tuesday. Carroll said that tests Giacomini had on an ailing knee back in New York last week came back negative. Giacomini returned to regular spot at right tackle with the first unit. … Rookie fifth-round draft choice Tharold Simon remains out. Carroll said that the LSU product has a foot injury that could develop into a stress fracture and the team is taking a proactive approach to managing the injury.
Carroll’s hopeful Simon will be healthy for training camp. … Along with Avril and Giacomini, safety Winston Guy, tight end Cooper Helfet and receivers Stephen Williams, Brett Swain and Charly Martin returned to practice. Greg Scruggs (knee), James Carpenter (knee), Simon (foot), Clemons (knee), and Percy Harvin (hip) did not practice on Tuesday.
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