DE Malik McDowell apparently will fly to Seattle Tuesday to join the Seahawks, following Sunday’s news that he was injured in an ATV accident somewhere in Michigan. The Seattle Times confirmed Monday night that the club was expecting him to report to its Renton headquarters.
McDowell, reported to have had a concussion and facial injuries, has not been seen by team doctors, choosing to stay at his home near Detroit to recover. There was no police report on the episode, and the Seahawks in a statement provided no details of the incident, deferring to McDowell’s request for privacy.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, asked at Sunday’s opening of training camp whether the accident jeopardized the season of their top draft pick, taken in the second round with the 35th overall choice, said, “We’ll see — I don’t know that.”
After the news was disclosed by the Seahawks, McDowell, 21, tweeted Sunday, “My injury is not life or career threatening, as some have speculated,” and said he would soon be with the team.
McDowell is on the reserve/did not report list, but once he is added to the 90-man roster, someone will be cut.
McDowell a year ago had been projected as a high first-round pick because of great athleticism for his size (6-6, 295). But a sub-par season junior season at Michigan State, which included an injury, raised questions about his maturity and drive and caused his draft stock to fall.
But the Seahawks liked his upside and expected him to get significant minutes in defensive line positions inside and outside.
