WR Metcalf dubs self ‘Wolverine’ after fast return
Brady HendersonESPN
RENTON, Wash. — DK Metcalf declared himself “100 p.c” on Thursday and stated he is able to play in Sunday’s regular-season opener, which will likely be all of 19 days after he had surgical procedure on his knee.
That fast restoration is why the Seattle Seahawks rookie receiver referred to himself because the X-Males character “Wolverine” throughout a latest dialog with coach Pete Carroll.
Metcalf had been getting common enjoying time with the Seahawks’ No. 1 offense earlier than he had surgical procedure on Aug. 20, which Carroll known as a “minimal” process. Metcalf stated his knee concern had been lingering and that he, Carroll and common supervisor John Schneider had been all in settlement that surgical procedure can be the very best plan of action.
Metcalf performed solely in Seattle’s first preseason recreation. Russell Wilson and most of Seattle’s veteran starters did not play in that recreation, that means these two have had zero recreation reps collectively — not even within the crew’s intrasquad scrimmage the week earlier than the primary preseason recreation, as Metcalf was held out with an indirect harm.
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Metcalf shot down the concept on a regular basis he missed following knee surgical procedure was a setback, saying he made probably the most of being sidelined.
“I sharpened up my psychological recreation,” he stated. “I acquired to be taught the offense a little bit extra. Coming from that first recreation, I type of acquired used to the pace of the sport. I can not wait to be again on the market Sunday.”
Metcalf, listed as a restricted on Wednesday and a full participant Thursday, deferred to Carroll when requested what sort of a snap rely he could be on in Seattle’s opener in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Seahawks are already with out one in every of their prime receivers in David Moore, who’s sidelined with a shoulder fracture. The opposite receivers behind Tyler Lockett and Jaron Brown are rookies Gary Jennings and John Ursua, plus Malik Turner, who had two catches as an undrafted rookie final season.
Metcalf stated he has seen a big distinction in how his knee feels post-surgery.
“I am very excited simply to return again on the market and play on Sunday,” he stated.
As for the “Wolverine” nickname?
“He would not keep down for lengthy,” Metcalf stated. “If he will get a reduce or a bruise or one thing, then it goes away instantly. I have been coping with accidents for the previous couple of months, and so they’ve type of lingered round for a little bit bit after which go away.”
Defensive finish Ezekiel Ansah can also be on observe to make his Seahawks debut Sunday. Talking with native reporters for the primary time since signing a one-year take care of the Seahawks in Might, Ansah stated he is “as prepared as I may be” given on a regular basis he missed whereas recovering from shoulder surgical procedure and a more moderen groin harm, which he known as a “lengthy journey.” He hasn’t performed since December, when his shoulder harm prematurely ended his ultimate season in Detroit.
“In truth, it is a little bit little bit of every part,” he stated of his feelings heading into Week 1. “I have not performed soccer in a really very long time … I simply can’t wait to hit anyone, I can not wait to make a primary deal with, I can not wait to get my first sack, I simply can’t wait to get on the market and play with the fellows on this constructing. We’ve a bunch of nice guys right here and, man, I do not see myself wherever however right here, and I am actually excited to be part of this program.”
Ansah (shoulder) and Jadeveon Clowney (not injury-related) had been listed as restricted Thursday for the second day in a row.