Star safety Nick Emmanwori passed his physical Tuesday, clearing a vital hurdle for his return to Mike Macdonald’s defense just weeks before the season-opening championship rematch.
The last time Nick Emmanwori shared a field with the New England Patriots, an injured ankle didn't prevent him from playing 70 of Seattle's 72 defensive snaps in Super Bowl LX.
Seven months later ... that ankle has kept him from participating in training camp.
But the Seattle Seahawks just received their most encouraging indication yet that the wait may be nearing its end.
Emmanwori passed his team physical Tuesday, clearing an important hurdle toward making his training-camp debut after undergoing arthroscopic ankle surgery in July, the Seahawks announced.
Seattle had placed him on the physically unable to perform list when camp opened July 25.
And considering what the second-year safety became during his rookie season ... Seattle obviously has plenty of reason to want him back.
Emmanwori's ankle has actually caused him problems on multiple occasions.
The 2025 second-round pick suffered a high-ankle sprain during Seattle's season opener and missed the next three games before returning to become an important piece of Mike Macdonald's defense.
Then came another setback at about the worst possible time.
Emmanwori suffered a low-ankle sprain during practice four days before Super Bowl LX. He sat out the following day's practice before returning as a full participant Friday, clearing the way for him to play against New England.
And play he did.
Emmanwori recorded five tackles while playing 70 defensive snaps in Seattle's 29-13 championship victory.
But the ankle didn't completely cooperate afterward.
Emmanwori participated in the Seahawks' offseason practices this spring, but the ankle still didn't feel right entering July, according to The News Tribune's Gregg Bell.
That led to arthroscopic surgery during the break between minicamp and training camp.
The timing understandably raised concerns about the availability of one of Seattle's most versatile defenders, particularly after HBO's "Hard Knocks" showed Emmanwori using a scooter and wearing a walking boot during the opening stages of camp.
But that footage was already outdated by the time it aired.
Bell reported Emmanwori had progressed out of both the boot and a soft ankle brace, and he was spotted walking freely while watching practice last week.
Now he's cleared another hurdle.
Passing his physical doesn't guarantee Emmanwori will immediately return to a full workload, but Bell reports the Seahawks have expected him to be available when they begin defending their Super Bowl title against New England on Sept. 9 at Lumen Field.
Seattle has spent camp preparing for his absence in the meantime.
Veteran D'Anthony Bell has handled much of Emmanwori's hybrid "big nickel" role, while rookie second-round pick Bud Clark has recently received additional opportunities with the starting defense.
Tuesday's injury news wasn't entirely positive, either.
The Seahawks placed fullback Robbie Ouzts on injured reserve, ending his 2026 season, and signed linebacker Aaron Smith to fill his spot on the 90-man roster.
Ouzts had already missed the NFC Championship Game and Super Bowl LX because of a neck issue. He was listed as questionable entering the Super Bowl before ultimately being inactive.
So Tuesday delivered considerably different developments for two members of Seattle's championship roster.
Ouzts' second season is over before it begins.
Emmanwori, meanwhile, has cleared another hurdle toward being back on the field when Seattle begins defending its title against the same opponent he played through an injured ankle to beat seven months earlier.
