The Seahawks had hoped cornerback Tariq Woolen would recover from knee surgery in time for training camp.

Those hopes were not realized. Woolen was one of six players placed on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list as the Seahawks started camp on Wednesday.

Joining him on the list were safety Jamal Adams, linebacker Jordyn Brooks, tight end Noah Fant and a pair of nose tackles in Bryan Mone and Austin Faoliu.

Woolen, who enjoyed an outstanding rookie year that saw him rack up a league-leading six interceptions along with 16 pass breakups, is the standout name, having suffered the injury during Seattle's offseason workouts.

Head coach Pete Carroll previously expressed great confidence Woolen would be ready for camp.

Per Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune, Carroll said: 

"Fortunately, everything went great. You can see him, he’s getting around terrific already. It’s, hopefully, a four-to-six-week-type deal. It was such a weird occurrence, he just took it in stride and has been really positive about it. So we see nothing but that we should be able to get him back soon."

Carroll's optimism proved misplaced and, with Devon Witherspoon not at camp as the saga around his rookie contract rumbles on, the Seahawks will be without both their projected starting corners to start camp.

Both Brooks and Adams are recovering from serious injuries. Linebacker Brooks tore his ACL late last season. If he is not ready for Week 1 then Devin Bush will likely start next to Bobby Wagner at that spot. Adams tore his quad in the 2022 season opener, but Seattle is well set at safety with Julian Love set to play a significant role and Quandre Diggs coming off three straight Pro Bowl seasons.

Fant's issue is unknown. The Seahawks' starting tight end, acquired in the Russell Wilson trade last offseason, had 486 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 2022. Will Dissly will likely get the first-team reps in his absence. 

All six players can be activated at any point, but the most nervous wait surrounds Woolen. He is already a defensive cornerstone for Seattle, and the Seahawks need him healthy and practicing as soon as possible.

Seahawks’ top pick Devon Witherspoon absent from training camp amid contract saga

They can’t let this drag on much longer.

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