Healing starters expected back soon

RENTON, Wash. – Starting left tackle Russell Okung and strong safety Kam Chancellor were both spectators as the Seahawks began training camp on Friday.

Okung and Chancellor are both recovering from surgeries in the offseason, but coach Pete Carroll said Friday that both are close to returning to practice. Chancellor had hip surgery, while Okung had a procedure on his foot.

“(Okung) is just days away from proving it. It might take him, if we’re conservative, maybe a couple of weeks. We’ll take our time there,” Carroll said.

“Kam Chancellor is really close and ready to go. He’s chomping at the bit to go. … Both went through walkthroughs so they’re close. We expect them back soon.”

Super Bowl MVP Malcolm Smith also watched Friday’s first practice after ankle surgery in the spring. Carroll said he expects Smith back in the next couple of weeks.

The one possible injury that could linger into the regular season is linebacker/defensive end Bruce Irvin, who was placed on the physically unable to perform list. Irvin had hip surgery in the spring and Carroll said it may take all of training camp before Seattle knows if Irvin will be ready for the season opener Sept. 4 against Green Bay.

Joining Irvin on the PUP list was linebacker Korey Toomer, a standout during offseason workouts. Toomer has been slowed by injuries since joining the Seahawks as a fifth-round pick in 2012. Toomer has a nagging hamstring injury that will keep him out a couple of weeks.

Rookie defensive back Eric Pinkins was also placed on the PUP list with a non-football injury to his left foot. Carroll said Pinkins suffered a Lisfranc injury that was discovered during his physical.