LB Bruce Irvin had hip surgery Monday, according to the Seahawks, who did not disclose details after the day’s organized team activity. Irvin offered offered via Twitter his own prognosis, saying he will be back for the starting of training camp in late July.
Since coach Pete Carroll did not address the media Monday, it wasn’t clear if Irvin was injured during OTA practices last week, or was playing with a lingering problem.
Didn’t want this to get out but I’m fine! Will b back by training camp! For all u people saying this a make or break year for me!
— Bruce Irvin (@BIrvin_WVU11) June 2, 2014
If I woulda missed any games I wouldn’t have got it I decided to proceed because I could b back soon. #watchmework
— Bruce Irvin (@BIrvin_WVU11) June 2, 2014
He joins LT Russell Okung (toe), Kam Chancellor (hip) and LB Malcolm Smith (ankle) with repairs requiring surgery in the off-season. Along with WR Sidney Rice (torn ACL), all are expected to sit out the rest of the 10 OTA practices as well as a mini-camp in June.
Irvin was a part-time starter last year, his four-game suspension for PEDs at the beginning of the season giving Smith a chance to blossom at his position. Smith started in the Super Bowl, where he was named MVP. There’s been off-season speculation that Irvin might move back to his original position as a rush defensive end to replace departed DE Chris Clemons.
Back in action Monday were absentees from the first media-permitted observations of the voluntary workouts: DE Cliff Avril, WR Chris Matthews and DT Jesse Williams. Not unexpectedly, RB Marshawn Lynch was absent, although he made a sponsored appearance Saturday at the Alderwood Mall to endorse the headphones he often wore during the run to the Super Bowl.
Von Reichbauer called “The original 12th Man”
The King County Council declared June “Seahawks Month” and had several members at practice for a brief ceremony acknowledging the proclamation.
Singled out was longtime council member Pete von Reichbauer, who was instrumental in brokering the sale of the Seahawks in 1997 from Ken Behring to Paul Allen. When Behring attempted to move the team in 1996 to Anaheim, the NFL ordered him to return to Seattle. Von Reichbauer spent considerable time persuading Behring to sell the club while urging Allen, who had no interest in football, to become the buyer.
After a statewide election in 1997 provided funding to replace the Kingdome for what became the Clink, Allen bought the team for $200 million. Behring bought the team in 1988 from the Nordstrom family, the original owners, for $80 million. Former Seahawks chairman John Nordstrom was at practice Monday.
“Today meant so much, especially spending it with friends, including John Nordstrom, one of the original owners of the Seattle Seahawks,” said von Reichbauer, who received a 12th Man jersey with his name. “The only thing better was receiving this honor from (GM) John Schneider, the architect, and Pete Carroll, the coach.”