RENTON — While the Seattle Seahawks waited for an opponent in the divisional round of the playoffs, they watched the awards start to roll in on Friday, got another day of practice out of Percy Harvin and even saw Marshawn Lynch take questions.
It may have been a short week of practice for the NFC West champions and No. 1 seed in the postseason, but it certainly wasn’t quiet for the Seahawks.
Seattle wrapped its brief two days of work hours after safety Earl Thomas and cornerback Richard Sherman were named first-team All-Pro and safety Kam Chancellor was named to the second-team. It’s the second straight year Thomas and Sherman were recognized on the first-team.
But more important than the individual honors was Harvin practicing. Coach Pete Carroll said Harvin participated in nearly all of Friday’s session, but his status for Seattle’s divisional playoff game on Jan. 11 won’t be determined until next week.
“He participated in everything today with the exception of the two-minute drill and he looked and I think he felt pretty good about it,” Carroll said. “He’s still got a little governor on what he’s doing here, which I think is the right thing to do. We’ll come back next week and get after it and just go one day at a time and I expect that he’s going to be able to make some progress. That’s baring a setback, but he’s very encouraged and we’re excited for him.”
Harvin returned to practice for the first time since mid-November on Thursday. The Seahawks were not required to list a participation report this week because they are on a bye. The potential of having Harvin on the field is a stunning turn from a week ago when it was hinted that he could be headed for injured reserve and shelved until the 2014 season.
“He stayed right on schedule today,” Carroll said. “He was fine about it. If he would have had any issues, we would have pulled him out, but that wasn’t necessary.”
Harvin missed the first 2 1/2 months of the season following hip surgery in early August. He returned in Week 11 against Minnesota and caught one pass and had a 58-yard kickoff return. Harvin was then sidelined again by what Carroll called “soreness” following his debut.
“I think the fact we’re near the end now, he’s going to push, push it through and see if he can do it,” Carroll said. “We’ll see what happens. I’m really proud of him. I’m excited about how he’s fought to get to this point and not backed off it.”
While Carroll was busy talking about Harvin, he also took a moment to recognize his three defensive backs selected to the All-Pro team. Thomas and Sherman are repeat first-team honorees while Chancellor getting voted to the second-team is a first in his career.
Thomas was most pleased with Chancellor getting recognized.
“It just shows how connected we are how we were able to elevate this season from Week 1 to now,” Thomas said. “I’m just proud of Kam. I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves. He’s done a great job. He’s elevated his game. I don’t think he has a weakness right now.”
It’s the second time in Carroll’s coaching career he’s seen three players in his secondary named to the All-Pro team. Carroll was the defensive coordinator for San Francisco in 1995 when cornerback Eric Davis and safe Merton Hanks were first-team selections and safety Tim McDonald was on the second-team.
“I think it does demonstrate that if you play really well with the guys around you that it can help your play,” Carroll said.
The surprise of the day was Lynch stepping in front of camera and speaking for less than 90 seconds. It was his first time taking questions from the media all season, having politely declined every time.
Lynch’s longest answer was 24 words when asked about the Seahawks’ focus this week not knowing who their opponent would be.
“We just took the approach of not knowing just by playing against ourselves this week, just giving that kind of effort against the best defense,” Lynch said.
Notes: Carroll said LB K.J. Wright (foot) won’t make it back for the divisional round, but could be available for the NFC championship game should Seattle advance. … TE Luke Willson (ankle) ran on Friday and will know by next Wednesday or Thursday if he’ll play.
