Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

'Hold-in' Seahawks star Duane Brown to play Week 1 against Colts

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Vincent Frank | Last updated 9/6/21

The Seattle Seahawks will have Pro Bowl left tackle Duane Brown on the field when they take on the Indianapolis Colts in their season opener on Sunday.

Brown has joined others around the NFL in being a “hold in” during training camp and the preseason. That is to say, reporting to camp in order to avoid a daily fine but opting against taking part in team drills. It’s the new normal and has replaced holdouts.

As for Brown, Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll noted on Monday that the left tackle will be on the field. NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport added to that, reporting that Brown and his agent continue to work with Seattle on a new contract.

Brown, 36, is entering the final season of a three-year, $34.5 million extension he signed with Seattle back in July of 2018. He wants some more long-term security. Whether that happens heading into Week 1 remains to be seen.

Seattle Seahawks star Russell Wilson has his left tackle back

This is the biggest backdrop to the news on Monday. Acquired from the Houston Texans during the 2017 season, Brown is a four-time Pro Bowl performer and Seattle’s best pass-protecting offensive lineman.

We heard Wilson display frustration over offensive line play in front of him early this past offseason. For good reason. The Super Bowl-winning quarterback has been sacked an astonishing 394 times throughout his nine-year career. That includes a league-high 146 times over the past three seasons alone.

In order for Seattle to have any type of success and come out of the ultra-competitive NFC West this season, it will need better pass protection in front of Wilson. After all, the Hawks are going up against the likes of J.J. Watt, Chandler Jones, Nick Bosa, Dee Ford and Aaron Donald a combined six times in 17 games. Having Brown back in the mix will help in that regard.

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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