The NFL is finally back on Wednesday night, as the New England Patriots travel to Seattle Seahawks to take on the defending Super Bowl Champions. Thanks to the San Francisco 49ers playing the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night in Australia, we get football a full day early this year.
But as the Seahawks take on the Patriots in a Super Bowl rematch from February, Seattle might be without a key member of its defense. Star safety and former South Carolina Gamecock Nick Emmanwori is currently listed as questionable for Wednesday night's game:
Seahawks have ruled out Ty Okada (hamstring) and listed Nick Emmanwori (ankle) and Tory Horton (hamstring) as questionable. Everybody else good to go.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) September 8, 2026
The news comes as Emmanwori has been trying to rehab from offseason ankle surgery he had over the summer in late July. The second-year player was seen in a boot as Seattle began training camp . Although he had his surgery less than two months ago, he has been pushing to make a return. In fact, he has been a limited participant in the days leading up to kickoff:
First injury report of #Seahawks season. Something to watch: Ty Okada out today with hamstring injury.
— Corbin K. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) September 6, 2026
Signs continue to point to Nick Emmanwori not playing Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/VAO66wGoCl
Although Seattle has been likely preparing to not have him against Drake Maye and the Patriots, it will have an effect on the Seahawks' defense. Emanwori had a breakout rookie season last year in Seattle. The former second-round pick had 94 total tackles with 2.5 sacks, nine quarterback hits and an interception.
During the Seahawks' 29-13 win over New England in Super Bowl 60, Emmanwori had five total tackles, including four solo. But he has been dealing with his ankle injury since last season, so surgery was the best path forward. He missed the first three games of the regular season because of it, and was even on Seattle's injury report leading up to the Super Bowl.
A recent poll with NFL coaches, execs and scouts had him ranked as the No. 6 overall best safety across all 32 teams.
When is Emmanwori expected to return to Seahawks?
The good news is that Seattle is not expecting him to be out for long. Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald told reporters Tuesday that Emmanwori "looked great" in practice, and said that he has done "the most" he has done at practice since his surgery.
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If Seattle expected Emmanwori to be out for longer than four games, it would have placed him on the injured reserve list. After Seattle's Week 1 Super Bowl rematch, the Seahawks play Arizona and Washington both on the road. Getting Emmanwori back in time for one of those road games would be ideal.
Across his three seasons at South Carolina, he finished with 244 total tackles with 11 passes defended and six interceptions.
Even without Emmanwori playing as expected, Seattle is still listed as a 3-point favorite at home.
Seattle's game against New England will kickoff at 8:20 p.m. ET, and air live on NBC.
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