RENTON, Wash. (AP) Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas was at practice on Friday but did not take part because of reasons of a personal nature, according to coach Pete Carroll.
Carroll left open the possibility that the issue – that he wouldn’t detail – could keep Thomas from playing Sunday in the team’s home opener against the Dallas Cowboys.
”He couldn’t work today,” Carroll said. ”… We’ll see how he’s doing. Make sure he’s OK.”
Thomas did not take part in practice on Wednesday either and was listed on the team’s injury report as being out for non-injury reasons. He returned to practice on Thursday before missing the team’s final practice of the week on Friday.
Carroll confirmed that his absence had nothing to do with an injury.
”He’s got some other stuff going on we’re working on,” Carroll said.
Thomas held out from all offseason work with the Seahawks in hopes of getting a new contract from the Seahawks. The move did not succeed despite Thomas’ efforts and he reported to the team before the start of the regular season. The possibility of a trade has persisted, though nothing has apparently been deemed sufficient for Seattle to deal him at this point.
If Thomas didn’t play against Dallas, Tedric Thompson would serve as the replacement at free safety.
Meanwhile, left guard Ethan Pocic was ruled out because of an ankle injury sustained last Monday against the Chicago Bears. Center Justin Britt was also listed as questionable because of a right shoulder injury that occurred chasing Russell Wilson’s fumble.
”Just out in space he was running open area and he turned his ankle and it just flared up,” Carroll said of Pocic. ”We’re surprised (with) how it looked that it didn’t respond. He’s certainly got something we found on the MRI and all that so we’ve got to take care of him.”
Carroll said Britt has progressed through the week and will be a game-time decision against Dallas.
”He’s feeling way better,” Carroll said. ”Didn’t get the work this week though. He’s been out there with us a long time and he knows what’s going on so he could play on Sunday in this instance.”
D.J. Fluker is returning to the lineup at right guard after missing the first two regular-season games with a hamstring injury. Fluker’s return allows J.R. Sweezy to make his first start at left guard in place of Pocic. Sweezy has started 65 games over seven seasons in the NFL, but all have come at right guard.
Wide receiver Doug Baldwin and linebacker K.J. Wright have also been ruled out because of knee injuries.
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