Nick Emmanwori update gives Seahawks fans a sigh of relief before Super Bowl LX

A minor right ankle injury isn't going to keep Seattle Seahawks rookie safety Nick Emmanwori out of Super Bowl LX.

Emmanwori suffered the injury during Wednesday's practice. On Thursday, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald indicated it isn't severe, and he expects him to play Sunday against the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California (6:30 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock). The safety isn't worried about his ankle, either. 

Nick Emmanwori discusses ankle injury 

"Just a little mishap in practice, just rolled my ankle, kind of caught me off guard. I'll be good to go for Sunday. I'm good though," Emmanwori said (h/t Jeff Reynolds of Field Level Media). "I expect to play on Sunday. ... Doc told me I'd be good. Super young, healthy. Yeah, I'll be good to go." 

Emmanwori, who turns 22 on Saturday, added he injured the same ankle in Week 1, sidelining him for three games. That, however, was a high-ankle sprain. The one he suffered on Wednesday is a low-ankle sprain.

The Seahawks need Nick Emmanwori to play in Super Bowl LX to beat the Patriots 

Emmanwori will play a critical role in stopping the Patriots, led by second-year quarterback Drake Maye, a 2025 league MVP finalist. Like the safety, the QB had an injury concern during Super Bowl week. He injured his right shoulder in a 10-7 win over the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game, but the Patriots listed him as a full participant during Wednesday's practice, signaling it's no longer an issue.

Emmanwori (pick No. 35 of the 2025 draft) was named a 2025 Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist after logging one interception and defending 11 passes in 14 regular-season games. He has four passes defended in the playoffs. 

The Seahawks, though, don't just use Emmanwori, who logged 81 tackles in the regular season, in pass coverage. He often lines up in the box — the area between the offensive tackles, roughly five yards behind the line of scrimmage — almost acting as another linebacker. 

Citing Next Gen Stats, NFL.com's Kevin Patra reported Emmanwori lined up on 51% of his snaps in the box. Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton, a two-time first-team All-Pro, was the only other DB who played 45% or more of his snaps in this area in 2025. He played on 46.8% of snaps in the box.

"He's doing stuff that I can't do, too," Hamilton said of Emmanwori, via Patra. "He's a great player, happy for him, and I think he's going to be super successful." 

If Emmanwori continues to excel on "Super Sunday," the Seahawks may win their second Super Bowl.