Seahawks' Jones returns to practice regimen

Renton – Returning to the field for the first time in nearly two weeks, Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Walter Jones said he’ll be a little more patient this time around.

The veteran offensive tackle, who had season-ending microfracture surgery on his left knee in December and did not participate in any of Seattle’s offseason workouts, suffered back spasms after the first day of training camp and hadn’t been on the practice field since – until Thursday.

With the Seahawks preparing for the team’s upcoming exhibition game at San Diego on Saturday, Jones found himself in unfamiliar territory – working with the scout squad offense and running San Diego’s offense.

“I don’t know if Walter has ever taken scout team snaps in his life, but today he did,” Seahawks head coach Jim Mora said, jokingly.

Jones, 35, also went through individual drill work, practicing pass blocking and cut blocking with his fellow linemen. He seemed to move well while taking on defensive linemen Patrick Kerney and Darryl Tapp in pass coverage.

Jones said perhaps he tried to come back too early, and implied that his back spasms may have been tied to the knee injury.

“That’s a tough call,” he said. “It probably did (contribute to the spasms), but I don’t know. It was just a situation where I think I was rushing it, trying to get back on the football field (when I should have taken my time and been) patient. But right now I feel pretty good.”

Seattle’s offensive line has been hit hard by injuries, with center Chris Spencer spraining his left ankle last Friday, right guard Mansfield Wrotto suffering a leg bruise on Tuesday and right tackle Ray Willis sitting out periodically to rest sore knees.

Mora said Wrotto will not be available for Saturday’s game, but Spencer is expected to play along with Willis, giving the Seahawks some continuity on offense. Sean Locklear will continue to play left tackle, with Rob Sims at left guard. Rookie Max Unger is expected to start at right guard in place of Wrotto.

Jones, a perennial Pro Bowl selection, said he’d like to return to practice full time next week, and if everything goes well, be ready to play in the team’s second exhibition against Denver.

“I felt pretty good,” Jones said. “I think the toughest thing now is just getting the confidence back. Just getting back and feeling confident that you can go out here and still do your job. And I felt good about that.”

Back in San Diego

Seahawks free safety Brian Russell and offensive tackle Will Robinson are returning to the place where they played their college ball. Both are San Diego State alums.

Although Russell is taking a business-like attitude with him back to San Diego, the trip will serve as a family reunion of sorts for the Southern California native. Russell said he has a brother and sister who live in the area, and his parents plan on driving down from Los Angeles. Russell also met his wife, Leslie, while at San Diego State. The couple recently had their first child, Brock, who is 61/2 months old.

“They’ll all be at the game and that’s exciting,” Russell said. “But … you’re really down there for a tune-up, and I try to explain that to the family so they don’t get crushed if I play a quarter, or a half or whatever Jim (Mora) decides. So it’s a little different that way.”

Robinson, a reserve tackle who has been working mostly with the third team, said he’s looking forward to playing against former Aztecs teammates Antwan Applewhite and Brandyn Dombrowski, who play for the Chargers.

“It’s going to be really good,” Robinson said. “I’m really excited for it. I haven’t been on that field for a couple years. I’ve got a couple teammates who play on that team, so it’s also a chance to play against them and kick some butt.”

Spencer, Kerney might play

After sitting out two days with a sore calf, defensive end Kerney returned to practice on Thursday. Mora said Kerney is a game-time decision.

Spencer, who returned to practice on Wednesday after suffering a sprained ankle last Friday, worked with the first team on Thursday and is expected to play.

Eric D. Williams: 253-597-8437

eric.williams@thenewstribune.com

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