As expected, projected Seattle Seahawks starting off-ball linebacker Jerome Baker did not play in Saturday’s Week 2 preseason loss to the Tennessee Titans. Baker was also a non-participant during joint practice sessions with the Titans earlier in the week. His absence with a hamstring injury has now officially crossed the two-week mark, and perhaps it’s time to start concerning yourself with his early-season involvement.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald recently commented on Baker’s injury, declining to provide an exact timeline for his return to the practice field.
“I can’t give you a date on when he’s coming back, but he should be going here pretty soon,” Macdonald said. “The plan is to have him ready for week 1, yeah, for sure.”
Mike Macdonald on Jerome Baker, who's been out the last two weeks with a hamstring injury: "I can’t give you a date on when he’s coming back, but he should be going here pretty soon." Said "the plan is to have him ready for week 1, yeah, for sure."
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) August 18, 2024
The Seahawks are being cautious with Baker’s hamstring after signing him to a one-year contract worth up to $7 million earlier this offseason following his release from the Miami Dolphins. Baker, who missed four games last season via injury, is being counted on to play off-ball linebacker in Macdonald’s scheme. It’s an important position, given what Macdonald accomplished with Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen as the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens last season.
Rookie linebacker Tyrice Knight continues to receive first-team reps in Baker’s absence. The Seahawks were actually down multiple linebackers heading into Saturday’s exhibition contest against the Titans, with Tyrel Dodson also sitting out. Knight played 49 snaps, 66% of Seattle’s defensive plays, as a result.
The Seahawks are approximately two-and-a-half weeks away from their regular-season opener with the Denver Broncos. Macdonald and his defensive coaching staff aim to get Baker practicing well before then. Now’s the time to begin monitoring when Baker returns to practice.
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