Seahawks hoping Okung can return for opener
Sixth-overall draft pick Russell Okung has a high right ankle sprain, putting the key position of left tackle in flux for the Seattle Seahawks heading into the regular season.
Coach Pete Carroll announced after Tuesday’s practice in Renton, Wash., that he is holding out hope the replacement for retired All-Pro Walter Jones can play in the Sept. 12 opener against San Francisco. But the Seahawks are pushing ahead with backup plans of having either Mansfield Wrotto, a backup guard, or recuperating Chester Pitts protect quarterback Matt Hasselbeck’s blind side to begin the season.
Wrotto will start Saturday’s preseason game at Minnesota.
Okung, the 6-foot-5, 315-pounder from Oklahoma State to whom Seattle guaranteed more than $29 million this month, sprained his ankle on the first play of Saturday night’s exhibition against Green Bay when linemate Ben Hamilton tripped him. He stayed in to finish the three-and-out series, then hobbled into the locker room – and into weeks of rehabilitation.
“I was kind of hoping it wasn’t, but it is,” Carroll said of Okung’s high ankle sprain, which involves a recovery time of two months. “It’s not the worst one we’ve ever seen. It’s kind of a moderate one.
“That’s why we’re holding out hope that he can come back quickly from it. But those can be, you know, difficult. We’ll have to see how it goes with him.”
Seattle is already without backup tackle Ray Willis for an indefinite time because of knee surgery.
Mangold richest center
Nick Mangold got the big deal he was looking for from the New York Jets.
The two-time Pro Bowl center became the highest-paid player at his position, signing a seven-year deal with the New York Jets that could be worth up to $55 million.
“To be able to say, ‘the highest-paid center’ is very nice to hear,” Mangold said. “It worked out well for both sides.”
The deal includes over $22 million in guarantees.
Vikings lose Rice
The Minnesota Vikings will play the first half of the season – or more – without Pro Bowl wide receiver Sidney Rice, who had hip surgery this week.
Coach Brad Childress said that he couldn’t give a specific timetable for Rice’s return, but said typically it takes about eight weeks before a player can even get back to practice, let alone game action.
Around the league
A sprained ankle will keep Donovan McNabb on the sideline when the Washington Redskins play the New York Jets. McNabb has been unable to practice since getting hurt in Saturday night’s preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens. … New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez will wear a protective brace on his surgically repaired left knee “probably forever” to guard against future injuries. … The NFL has fined wide receiver Chad Ochocinco $25,000 for the timing of his tweets. The league said that Ochocinco’s messages appeared on his Twitter page during a prohibited time at the Cincinnati Bengals versus Philadelphia Eagles preseason game on Friday night. … The NFL’s finance committee has unanimously recommended approval of Missouri billionaire Stan Kroenke’s bid to take full control of the St. Louis Rams. NFL owners will vote on the sale today in Atlanta.