Injuries are always a concern during Super Bowl week, and the Seattle Seahawks are currently facing this issue as cornerback Nick Emanwori sprained his ankle during practice on Wednesday.
Despite the setback, Emanwori seems determined to pursue his first Super Bowl title in his rookie NFL season. “I feel good,” he shared with reporters during a media session on Thursday. “The training staff has a good plan for me…I’ll be fine.”
The injury happened while he was defending a pass, but fortunately, it’s a low ankle sprain, which is usually easier to recover from compared to a high ankle sprain.
Emanwori was able to leave the field on his own, with some help from teammates and coaching staff.
Seattle’s head coach Mike McDonald mentioned that the team would assess Emanwori’s situation further to decide the next steps.
As a potential Defensive Rookie of the Year, Emanwori has made significant contributions to one of the league’s top defenses this season. He was the 35th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, starting 11 out of 14 games and tallying 81 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and one interception.
What stands out about Emanwori is his versatility; he has the ability to move swiftly across the field for both running and passing plays, not to mention breaking up 11 passes this year.
If Emanwori is unable to play or is not at his best on Sunday, Tai Okada might step up to take his spot in Seattle’s defense.
In addition, the Seahawks have another player facing some injury concerns. Quarterback Sam Darnold has been dealing with an oblique injury throughout the playoffs, although McDonald indicated he will be ready for Sunday’s game.
Darnold managed to throw three touchdowns during the NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams while grappling with similar oblique issues.
As always, football players are known for their commitment, especially during such a crucial time as the Super Bowl week.
