Seahawks Announce Unfortunate News Before Patriots Game

Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Seahawks Announce Unfortunate News Before Patriots Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Sep 9, 2026 7:11 PM ET

The Seattle Seahawks open their 2026 season Wednesday night against the New England Patriots in a Super Bowl LX rematch, but they will enter their title defense with several players unavailable. Seattle has already ruled out safety Ty Okada, while safety Nick Emmanwori and wide receiver Tory Horton were among the players carrying injury designations into the opener.

Emmanwori’s situation has drawn particular attention because the second-year safety was expected to play an important role in Seattle’s defense. He dealt with an ankle injury during the offseason and underwent an arthroscopic procedure in July, which kept him out for much of training camp. He returned to practice but remained limited with the ankle issue heading into the opener.

Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Ahead of kickoff, the Seahawks released their final injury update, officially ruling Emmanwori out of Wednesday’s game because of the ankle injury. The decision leaves the Seahawks without another key piece in a secondary already dealing with significant personnel losses and injuries.

Emmanwori’s absence is a significant blow for a defense that also lost Coby Bryant and Riq Woolen during the offseason. Seattle has Bud Clark on injured reserve, while Okada is unavailable against New England. The Seahawks have signed A.J. Finley to the active roster and elevated Rodney Thomas II from the practice squad to add depth in the secondary.

Tonight’s @Seahawks inactives: QB Jalen Milroe will serve as the emergency 3rd quarterback. pic.twitter.com/axFzYjlpvQ
— Seahawks PR (@seahawksPR) September 9, 2026

Emmanwori established himself as one of Seattle’s most promising young defenders as a rookie. He finished second in the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year voting after making an immediate impact in Mike Macdonald’s defense. Seattle was hoping to build on that production as it begins its Super Bowl title defense.

The Seahawks will instead rely on their available defensive backs against a Patriots offense featuring quarterback Drake Maye and a revamped receiving corps.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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