The Seattle Seahawks signed free-agent guard Mike Iupati this March to assume the starting position on the left side and nothing has changed as far as coach Pete Carroll is concerned.
Throughout the summer, however, Iupati was sidelined with a number of injuries, including to his foot and calf, and missed the entire preseason. He was active Sunday against the Bengals but saw only one snap on the field.
“It’s Mike’s job,” Carroll said during his Wednesday press conference. “We feel Mike has earned that, so he’ll jump back in.”
Ethan Pocic had stepped up in camp in place of Iupati and got the start Week 1. The job going forward, however, belongs to Iupati.
“Ethan’s done a great job filling in for quite a while now,” Carroll continued. “We’re really confident in him playing there. It’s a boost to us to know we have a guy – a couple guys – that can start.
“I’m really anxious to get Mike back in there, he’s dying to play, so I look forward to that.”
Carroll had said Monday Iupati is set to return to full practice this week. The participation report will be released later Wednesday afternoon.
