Seahawks Defensive Star Injured Ahead of Super Bowl LX
The Seattle Seahawks are one game away from winning their second Super Bowl championship in team history, and they've advanced to the big game after a total team effort during the 2025 season.
Seattle has been a well-oiled machine on both sides of the ball this year. Offensively, quarterback Sam Darnold picked up where he left off in Minnesota last year as he continues to revitalize his career. Jaxson Smith-Njigba put up a breakout season at wide receiver, and could earn the NFL's offensive player of the year award.
On defense, the Seahawks have been led by a young, athletic secondary that has proven to be a no-fly zone for some of the league's best quarterbacks. Players like Devon Witherspoon and Tariq Woolen have become premier talents over the last few years, and a recent addition has also proven himself during his rookie campaign.
SUPER BOWL BOUND !! ????????
— Nick Emmanwori (@Eman7Nick) January 26, 2026
LFG !
M.O.B ???? pic.twitter.com/zDoOjzenh7
— Nick Emmanwori (@Eman7Nick) January 19, 2026
Key Defensive Contributor Suffers Injury
The Seahawks selected Nick Emmanwori in the second round of last year's draft, and the rookie has made an immediate impact. Emmanwori was selected to the PFWA All-Rookie team, and has joined Woolen and Witherspoon as another valuable piece of the secondary.
Emmanwori is expected to be a major part of Seattle's gameplan on Sunday in the Super Bowl, but the young defensive back appears to be dealing with an injury just days before the big game.
Per ESPN's Adam Schefter and Kalyn Kahler, Emmanwori appeared to suffer an ankle injury during practice on Wednesday. Kahler reported that several members of the team - players and coaches alike - went over to Emmanwori to comfort him after he suffered the injury.
Emmanwori would walk off the field under his own power, but Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald acknowledged the injury after practice ended.
“He [Emmanwori] had an ankle today,” Macdonald said, according to Kahler. “We brought him in to look at it, and we'll kind of go from here and figure out what are the next steps.”
Emmanwori Shines Bright During Rookie Season
Emmanwori is a finalist for the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award at the NFL Honors ceremony this week. He's joined by Carson Schwesinger (Browns), Abdul Carter (Giants), James Pearce Jr. and Xavier Watts (Falcons). If he's selected as this year's top defensive rookie, he would be the first player in franchise history to win the award.
Give it up for @TomBrady's #LFG Defensive Rookie of the Year, @Seahawks safety @Eman7Nick ???????? pic.twitter.com/KUBXT6ZNp4
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) February 1, 2026
Woolen and Witherspoon were both named finalists in their respective rookie seasons, but the award went to other players in each instance.
The Seahawks enter Super Bowl LX as slight favorites over the AFC champion New England Patriots. Most sportsbooks and oddsmakers have Seattle at around four to five point favorites over New England, owing to their strong regular season and playoff performances.
The Seahawks will look to get an update on Emmanwori's status ahead of Sunday's game. Fans can tune in to this year's Super Bowl live on NBC and Peacock this Sunday, and the game is scheduled to kick off at around 6:30 PM ET.