RENTON, Wash. -- The Seattle Seahawks opened training camp with a twist on Sunday, announcing that second-round pick Malik McDowell was involved in a vehicular accident and is recovering from injuries at his home in Michigan.
A timetable on McDowell's return is unclear. Pete Carroll was asked if it's possible the defensive lineman could miss the entire season.
"We'll see. I don't know that," Carroll said.
McDowell tweeted that he'll be back in Seattle soon and added that the injuries are not career-threatening. But he didn't say anything about the 2017 season.
When the Seahawks drafted McDowell, general manager John Schneider compared him to Calais Campbell. Carroll raved about McDowell's progress in the spring, and the coaches were excited about the possibility of McDowell adding some interior pass rush. The rookie was poised to line up alongside Cliff Avril, Michael Bennett and Frank Clark when Seattle was in nickel.
But with McDowell sidelined, what's the plan now?
Avril, Bennett and Clark will still key what proved to be a formidable pass rush last season. In 2016, the Seahawks pressured opposing quarterbacks 29.8 percent of the time, seventh-best in the NFL. Seattle produced sacks 7.1 percent of the time, second only to the Arizona Cardinals.
In McDowell's absence, one player to watch is Quinton Jefferson. A fifth-round pick in 2016, Jefferson injured his knee and played in just three games last year. But he practiced with the team Sunday and should get a long look as an interior pass-rusher if healthy.
Another option for the Seahawks is to use Clark as an interior pass-rusher more often, given he has been successful filling that role in the past. That would open up the right defensive-end spot (in sub packages) for someone like Cassius Marsh or newly acquired Marcus Smith.
Dion Jordan (knee) is still not practicing and looks like a long shot to make the roster.
Last season, the Seahawks blitzed 25.5 percent of the time. The front four are a key to their defensive success, as the Seahawks rely on the unit to pressure the quarterback in obvious passing situations. That was something they thought McDowell could help them with.
At some point, maybe he will. But until then, they'll need to explore other options.