Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks open training camp with key players on PUP

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald is ready to move on after winning the franchise’s second Super Bowl in his second season at the helm. “Look, I’m different than I was this time last year. I’m different than I was at the end of the season. We have, I don’t know, 30 percent of our lineups probably different,” Macdonald said Saturday. “We’ve had some changes to our coaching staff. We’ve got some guys with a new perspective. … We’re all new people here in this situation, which by definition also makes us a new team.” Seattle opened training camp with much of its core in place. He lost key contributors this past offseason, however, such as Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III (Chiefs), safety Coby Bryant (Bears), linebacker Boye Mafe (Bengals) and cornerback Rig Woolen (Eagles). It’s unclear whether Seattle intends to replace Walker’s production, whether by committee, with Emanuel Wilson, who was signed in free agency after three seasons with the Green Bay Packers, rookie Jadarian Price, George Holani and Kenny McIntosh. Or, if injured Zach Charbonnet will become the primary option once he’s healthy. Charbonnet was placed on the physically unable to perform list before camp after tearing his ACL in the divisional game against the San Francisco 49ers. He and Walker were part of a committee approach for most of last season, but Charbonnett received the bulk of the carries in the red zone and capitalized with a career-high 12 touchdowns. “He just attacked in the offseason during his rehab, as you would expect, and the returns were what he deserved,” Macdonald said. The Seahawks had a welcoming sight as second-year receiver Tory Horton was healthy and running all afternoon after a shin injury ended his season prematurely after a scintillating start to his rookie campaign. After missing minicamp and OTAs, there was hope that he would be ready to go by the start of training camp. “It’s great to see Tory back,” Macdonald said. Horton, a fifth-round pick out of Colorado State, scored six touchdowns in his first eight games with Seattle before being placed on injured reserve in November. He brings depth to an already deep receiver room with AP Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Cupp and last season’s midseason acquisition Rashid Shaheed. The Seahawks also placed standout safety Nick Emmanwori on the PUP list after recently undergoing ankle surgery, but he is expected to be ready for their season opener on Wednesday night, September 9, in a rematch with the New England Patriots. He suffered a minor sprain four days before the Super Bowl, but played through the injury. “I think the best way to describe it is something he’s been dealing with since the Super Bowl,” Macdonald said. “He was able to perform, did some things in the offseason, but he just got to the point where it was best for him in the long run to move forward and fix the problem.” Emmanwori defended 11 passes, one interception and 2.5 sacks in 14 games for Seattle. But Macdonald would not confirm – or deny – that the Rookie of the Year finalist would be available. “He could play in the first game,” Macdonald said. Associated Press reporting.