The Seattle Seahawks knew when they signed free agent defensive end Ezekiel Ansah that his surgically repaired shoulder would take some time to heal.
That’s why Tuesday’s announcement from coach Pete Carroll – indicating that the team has a long-term plan with Ansah and won’t be rushing him back onto the field when training camp begins – shouldn’t come as a surprise.
“These six weeks coming up will be crucial and we have a really specific plan set up for him,” Carroll said after practice. “He has just a little traveling he has to do to go home. But other than that he’ll be working with our guys throughout and then we’ll just see when camp comes. I don’t think we’ll rush him when there won’t be a need to start him up right out of the chutes and we’ll see how it goes in the weeks to follow.”
Ansah was signed to a one-year contract after an injury-riddled 2018 season with the Lions. He still demonstrated an elite ability to get to the quarterback, however, a skill he has long held as evidenced by his 48.0 career sacks. His experience will make him an immediate contributor for the Seahawks, as long as he can stay healthy.
While Ansah is not participating much right now, Carroll still likes what he has seen out of the veteran.
“Well, he’s a real smart guy, bright guy, picking up the scheme,” Carroll continued. “He’s working really hard. He’s doing great in his process coming back. It’s just a matter of strengthening. The shoulder is healed and all that. So it’s just making sure that we don’t come back to soon and ensure that his recovery’s for good.”
