Seattle’s safety is set to return and compete with Coby Bryant for his starting job.
Seattle Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins is close to a return.
Jenkins was designated to return to practice on Wednesday, ahead of Seattle’s first practice for its Week 12 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.
Jenkins started the first six games of the 2024 season after signing a 2-year, $12 million contract with Seattle this past offseason. After Week 6, Jenkins opted to have surgery on his injured hand, which placed him on injured reserve. Similar to the PUP list, for Jenkins to return to the 53-man roster, Seattle would have to designate him to return to practice. From here, Jenkins has a 21-day practice window open where he can practice with the team, but not count against the 53-man roster. By the end of this 21-day window, the Seahawks must either activate Jenkins to the 53-man roster or end his 2024 season.
There is a chance that Jenkins could return this week, according to head coach Mike Macdonald. However, Seattle may not be looking to rush Jenkins back either. In Jenkins’ absence, Coby Bryant has been filling in admirably. It will be interesting to see how the Seahawks deploy their safeties once Jenkins does come back. Last week against the San Francisco 49ers, practice squad call-up Ty Okada acted as the third safety. With Jenkins’ imminent return, would he take over that third safety role, or relegate Bryant to that third safety position.
In his six games starting, Jenkins has 38 total tackles, and one 102-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown. In comparison, Bryant, in his last four starts has 26 tackles, one interception, and three passes defensed.