Seahawks going throwbacks for opener; Tyler Lockett wowed by Geno Smith; veterans return

The 1990s Seahawks throwbacks are back this season. And right away.

The team is wearing their old-school, royal-blue jerseys, silver helmets with the original team Hawk logo and silver pants for the season opener Sunday against the Denver Broncos at Lumen Field (1:05 p.m., channel 7).

The offensive players wore them in practice Monday.

The team’s custom is for the offensive players to wear the color jerseys the Seahawks are going to wear in that week’s game, so the quarterbacks can get used to finding that color all week.

New coach Mike Macdonald is having his players wear their actual game jerseys, not plainer practice jerseys, in practices this season. He says he wants his players to practice like they play, down to what they have on their backs.

Starter Geno Smith, backup Sam Howell and new third quarterback Jaren Hall are wearing the silver game helmets in practices this week, instead of the usual dark blue. That’s to break in the helmets and test the play-calling speakers in them for Sunday’s game.

The Seahawks wore the royal-blue throwbacks twice last season, for a home game against Cleveland and a Thursday night game at Dallas.

The team had already announced for this season it was wearing the throwbacks for the week 6 home game against San Francisco, Thursday, Oct. 10.

NFL rules allow teams to wear alternate, throwback jerseys for a maximum of two games each season.

Tyler Lockett impressed by Geno Smith

Tyler Lockett has missed the last two-plus weeks of practice with a leg issue.

After again spending extra time after practice ended catching passes from a JUGS machine, Lockett was asked if he’s playing Sunday.

He shot back a look of “are you serious” and said he’s playing, “unless you know something I don’t.”

This will be the third opener Lockett, 32 this month entering his 10th season, has had Smith throwing to him as Seattle’s starter. Smith has succeeded Russell Wilson; the team traded Wilson to Denver before the 2022 season.

Asked of Smith’s preseason, Lockett said: “I think he’s been phenomenal.

“A lot of people say this is the best they’ve seen him.”

Veteran starters back

On cue for the season opener, two veterans were back in the starting defense for practice Monday.

Weakside inside linebacker Jerome Baker appeared to be full go in the first portion of drills that were open to the media. He’s missed most practices this spring and throughout the preseason, recovering from wrist surgery then dealing with a hamstring injury.

He signed a one-year contract as a free-agent from Miami this offseason. Baker replaces Jordyn Brooks, who signed with the Dolphins, next to Tyrel Dodson as Seattle’s new starting inside linebackers.

Dodson, signed for one year from Buffalo, replaces departed Bobby Wagner as the middle linebacker who will call the defensive plays coach Mike Macdonald gives him.

Wagner is now playing for the Washington Commanders.

Defensive end Dre’Mont Jones missed most of August with an injured hamstring. He also appeared to be full go at the start of practice.

The team will issue its first practice participation report on Wednesday.

Connor Williams, Geno Smith extra

Connor Williams’ ramp-up to start the opener continues.

The new starting center and Smith came out early before practice began and worked on shotgun and direct snaps. Williams has been staying after practices going over more details with offensive line coach Scott Huff.

The Seahawks signed Williams, 27, on Aug. 11. Eight months ago he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in his final game starting for the Miami Dolphins. He then had reconstructive surgery.

Coaches have been increasing Williams’ practice work since his first work on the field with his new team a couple weeks ago. The plan is he starts Sunday, though coach Mike Macdonald and general manager John Schneider each in the last week have stopped short of declaring that will happen.