Seahawks notes: Reports suggest rookie Idefi will miss opener

Published 5:45 pm Thursday, September 8, 2016

RENTON — It looks as though the Seattle Seahawks will be without their first-round draft pick for the start of the season.

Germain Ifedi, who’s slated to start at right guard, left Wednesday’s practice because of an ankle injury, and reports surfaced Thursday that Ifedi has an ankle sprain that will keep him out of Sunday’s season opener against the Miami Dolphins.

The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted Thursday morning that Ifedi “suffered a high-ankle sprain in practice yesterday, source said. It knocks him out a few weeks.” There was no official comment from the team Thursday beyond the practice report, which listed Ifedi as not participating.

Ifedi is expected to play a big role on Seattle’s re-vamped offensive line this season. The 6-foot-5, 325-pounder from Texas A&M, who was selected 31st overall in this year’s draft, was part of an interior that performed well during preseason — it also included center Justin Britt and left guard Mark Glowinski. Should Ifedi miss the start of the season it could hinder that chemistry.

It’s not yet known how the Seahawks plan on filling Ifedi’s position, should he not play Sunday. Fellow rookie Rees Odhiambo is the only other guard listed on the roster, but he struggled during the preseason. Should Seattle choose a less conventional solution, both Britt and backup tackle J’Marcus Webb have played guard in the past.

Anthem statement planned

Seahawks receiver Doug Baldwin said Wednesday he was considering joining those NFL players who made a statement by sitting during the national anthem before preseason games. On Thursday he confirmed he and the rest of Seattle’s players have something planned for Sunday’s game.

Baldwin sent out a tweet Thursday that said: “To express a desire to bring people together, our team will honor the country and flag in a pregame demonstration of unity.” Baldwin and the rest of Seattle’s players declined to elaborate when asked about the demonstration.

One person who apparently is privy to the details is Nate Boyer, the Army veteran who spent last preseason with the Seahawks as a long snapper. Boyer tweeted: “Talked to the @Seahawks. What the team will do is a powerful sign of unification + respect for the Anthem + those that fight for our Freedom!”

The protests began two weeks ago when San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick sat during the national anthem before San Francisco’s preseason game against Green Bay, citing racial inequality. Last week Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane sat during the anthem before Seattle’s game against Oakland, saying he was supporting Kaepernick.

Tye Smith returns

The Seahawks brought cornerback Tye Smith back to the fold Thursday, signing the former draft pick to their practice squad. Smith, a fifth-round pick by the Seahawks in the 2015 draft, was waived last Saturday when Seattle reduced its roster from 75 to 53 players. Defensive end Tylor Harris was released from the practice squad to make room.

For more on the Seattle sports scene, check out Nick Patterson’s Seattle Sidelines blog at cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/heraldnet/tag/seattle-sidelines, or follow him on Twitter at @NickHPatterson.