Tariq Woolen at Seahawks OTAs after knee surgery, on track for return by training camp

Tariq Woolen was back.

In street clothes, that is.

With a black sleeve over the right knee on which he had arthroscopic surgery two weeks ago to repair cartilage damage, Woolen watched the fifth practice of Seahawks organized team activities. The 2022 Pro Bowl cornerback talked to teammates and trainers on the side Thursday while Mike Jackson started at right cornerback for him again.

Pete Carroll talked about Woolen returning in time for the start of training camp. That’s the last week of July.

“It was really an unusual occurrence,” Carroll said of Woolen getting injured during the second phase of offseason workouts, on the field between plays of a no-contact, no-pads, not-much-of-anything drill. “He didn’t have a play where he got hurt. He was in between plays, getting ready to go get lined up and felt something. It wasn’t bad, and then before the play started he sat down and felt his knee (that) something was wrong.

“Fortunately, everything went great. You can see him, he’s getting around terrific already. It’s, hopefully, a four-to-six-week-type deal.”

Carroll said Woolen’s attitude has been sterling.

“It was such a weird occurrence, he just took it in stride and has been really positive about it,” Carroll said. “So we see nothing but that we should be able to get him back soon.”

Seattle selected Devon Witherspoon fifth overall last month in the NFL draft to start at left cornerback opposite Woolen. He’s been the first-team cornerback on the left side since the first OTA practice. But he’s also been limited at times as the Seahawks training staff eases him back some from a hamstring injury he had this offseason.

That and getting smacked in the nose and bleeding during practice Thursday were why Tre Brown was the starting left cornerback opposite Jackson for many of the latest drills.

Carroll said Witherspoon is likely to work more Friday in the sixth OTA, and next week. The Seahawks have their mandatory veteran minicamp Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

The team expects Jamal Adams and Jordyn Brooks to attend the minicamp. They won’t practice during it. They will continue the rehabilitating they’ve been doing in Texas from surgeries, Adams for a torn quadriceps tendon from September and Brooks for a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee Jan. 1.

Mario Edwards absent

The reason recently signed Mario Edwards has yet to participate in OTAs with his new team: Carroll said the veteran defensive end from Denton, Texas, has been away dealing with a family matter.

The team expects the former Raiders second-round draft choice to join the team Sunday night and participate in minicamp next week.

Reason Abe Lucas is limited

Abe Lucas, Seattle’s starting right tackle as a rookie last season from Washington State, has not been in team drills during OTAs. Stone Forsythe was the first-team right tackle again Thursday.

Carroll said Lucas had surgery this offseason on his shoulder. The strength is almost all the way back in that joint, the coach said.

Carroll said the Seahawks have “no hesitation” Lucas will be ready for training camp and the season.