The Seattle Seahawks will play their second preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday evening. Head coach Mike Macdonald intends to play his starters versus the Chiefs. That doesn’t include linebacker Tyrice Knight, who is dealing with a multi-week absence. It’s unclear whether or not Ernest Jones IV will play after he recently returned to the team from an excused absence.
Reserve linebacker Patrick O’Connell should play extensively on Friday as a result. The former 2023 undrafted free agent is entering his third season in Seattle. O’Connell, who played college football at Mary (2017) and Montana (2018-22), has been relishing his opportunity with the first-team defense.
O’Connell spent the majority of the 2024 season on the Seahawks’ practice squad. He was momentarily promoted to the 53-man roster. O’Connell didn’t play any defensive snaps, but he did earn 58 opportunities via special teams.
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O’Connell and Drake Thomas are among the reserve linebackers competing for a backup spot. O’Connell isn’t guaranteed anything. At a practice last week with Knight and Jones out, rookie safety Nick Emmanwori ran with the first-team defense as a linebacker, per Dan Viens.
O’Connell should play extensively against the Chiefs on Friday. He’s a roster-bubble player attempting to make the 53-man roster. John Schneider’s cut-down day is fast approaching.
This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Seahawks LB Patrick O’Connell looking to make most of his opportunity