RENTON — The mystery behind when right tackle Abraham Lucas might suit up for the Seattle Seahawks remains unsolved, but it does appear that it will happen sometime this season.
Lucas, an Archbishop Murphy High School graduate, is not known to have participated in a full practice since undergoing knee surgery during the offseason. On Tuesday, the Seahawks placed him on the Physically Unable to Perform list, meaning he will miss at least the first four games of the season.
“We’re going to play the long game with him and make sure we’re doing things appropriately,” Seahawks general manager John Schneider said after practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Complex in Renton on Wednesday afternoon. “This is for his career. It’s not just for the 2024 season.”
“We want to make sure we’re doing the right thing for Abe, which is also the right thing for the Seattle Seahawks. We have to be careful with it.”
Lucas, a steady force at Washington State when he started 42 straight games for the Cougars from 2018-21, missed 11 of 17 games and parts of two others for the Seahawks in 2023. Neither the team nor Lucas have gone into specifics about the knee issues that sidelined the 2022 third-round draft pick during practices and preseason games in this year.
“It has nothing to do with Abe’s work ethic or anything,” Schneider said. “He’s attacked this thing as much as he possibly can.”
Lucas is one of the unknowns for new a new coaching staff this season as they prepare for the Sept. 8 season opener against Denver. Veteran George Fant will start at right tackle in Lucas’ place for at least the first four weeks.
Anthony Bradford appears to have won the right guard position over rookie third-round choice Christian Haynes. Tackle Charles Cross and guard Laken Tomlinson will likely start on the left side. Center is another uncertainty as Connor Williams continues to work his way back from ACL surgery.
Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and and offensive line coach Scott Huff — who are both new to the NFL after coaching at the University of Washington last season — will have to move some chess pieces around the line to protect quarterback Geno Smith.
Assuming there are no injury setacks, Williams will likely work his way into the lineup soon — possibly against Denver. The Seahawks believe Lucas will return at some point as well, but did not indicate a timetable.
When asked if he had any concern that Lucas would not return this year, Scheider said, “I don’t — no. I think we’re just being as cautious as we possibly can.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
