RENTON — Seattle Seahawks cornerback Sidney Jones IV still has not been cleared to play after a concussion he suffered earlier this month, bringing into question his availability for the season opener on Sept. 12 against Denver.
Jones suffered the concussion during Seattle’s first full week of practice in August. He returned briefly, and has been able to run but hasn’t been cleared by the medical staff, Seattle coach Pete Carroll said Tuesday. Carroll said Jones has a history of concussions.
“The symptoms didn’t just flat out go away and that’s what we’re looking at — does he have symptoms still?” Carroll said. “Until he’s symptom clear they’re going to take care of him and he’s got to clear some days past that as well. We’re just trying to do everything right and give him a chance to play in that first game.”
Jones moved into a starting role last season and was expected to be a starter opposite Artie Burns when training camp began.
Now?
The starters for the opener against Denver could be any combination of Jones, Burns, Michael Jackson or rookies Tariq Woolen or Coby Bryant.
Jones didn’t participate in Seattle’s mock game or any of its three preseason games.
“You can get rusty after a couple of weeks not going at the tempo that we play at,” Carroll said of Jones. “Practice is going to be important for him. So hopefully we get him back out here with some reps.”
Among the other injured players after Seattle’s last preseason game at Dallas are potential starting offensive lineman Jake Curhan (elbow) and edge rusher Alton Robinson (knee). Both are not expected to get much, if any, work this week.
“Jake’s tough as nails and I can’t imagine that’s going to hold him from being part of the game opening night but he’s gonna miss a couple days here,” Carroll said.
Carroll said starting left guard Damien Lewis (ankle) and safety Ryan Neal (ankle) are both continuing their rehab work with the hope of being ready for the opener.
