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Injury news during Super Bowl week is never what a team wants to see, but the Seattle Seahawks are dealing with it after standout cornerback Nick Emmanwori sprained his ankle during practice on Wednesday.
However, Emmanwori is not missing out on his first crack at a Super Bowl ring in his first NFL season.
“Feel good,” he told reporters Thursday during a Super Bowl media availability. “The training staff has a good plan for me… I’m ready to go.”
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Nick Emmanwori of the Seattle Seahawks speaks to the media prior to Super Bowl LX at the San Jose Convention Center on February 4, 2026 in San Jose, California. (Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
The injury occurred when Emmanwori defended a pass during practice and rolled his ankle, resulting in a sprain. Luckily it was a low ankle sprain as a high ankle would be much harder to play on.
Emmanwori walked off the training ground on his own, with teammates and coaches coming to his side as reinforcements.
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Head coach Mike Macdonald said Wednesday that the team “will kind of go from here and figure out what the next steps are.”
A potential Defensive Rookie of the Year, Emmanwori has been a key piece for the NFL’s top defense this season. The 35th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft started 11 of his 14 games during his rookie year, tallying 81 tackles, 2.5 sacks and an interception.
What has made Emmanwori great in his inaugural season is his versatility, being able to fly around the field in both running and passing situations. Emmanwori broke up 11 passes this year.
Nick Emmanwori of the Seattle Seahawks reacts during the second quarter of the NFC Championship game against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on January 25, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Jane Gershovich/Getty Images)
In the event that Emmanwori can’t go on Sunday, or struggles to play at his best, Ty Okada could win a nickel for Seattle.
Emmanwori isn’t the only Seahawks player dealing with something this week despite the time off. Quarterback Sam Darnold has been nursing an oblique injury throughout the playoffs, but Macdonald said he is “right on schedule” with where he will be for Sunday’s game at Levi’s Stadium.
Darnold also dealt with that lopsided question when he threw for three touchdowns in the NFC Championship Game win over the Los Angeles Rams to reach the Super Bowl.
Nick Emmanwori of the Seattle Seahawks looks on during an NFC Championship NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams at Lumen Field on January 25, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
As always, football players will do whatever it takes to play on game day, and even more so now that it’s Super Bowl week.
