Today’s roundup: the Seahawks are taking a risky chance on a talented cornerback facing legal troubles, preparing to rotate their quarterbacks during the preseason, while the Mariners patch up their roster ahead of a showdown with the Astros.
Seahawks Take a Risk by Signing Talented but Troubled Cornerback
The Seattle Seahawks have made an unconventional but potentially highly rewarding personnel move by agreeing to sign free-agent cornerback Terrion Arnold, according to The Seattle Times. The 23-year-old cornerback was selected by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 2024 draft, 24th overall, but was released in June because of serious legal problems. Arnold faces eight charges related to an alleged kidnapping and robbery and could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted. Despite this, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald called his workout “excellent,” and the player has already completed the signing process for a one-year contract worth approximately $1.145 million—the minimum for a player with three years of experience.
The case involving Arnold is extremely serious. According to the Hillsborough County, Florida, prosecutor’s office, he allegedly planned and orchestrated a revenge scheme that led to three men being beaten and kidnapped. Arnold is believed to have acted in retaliation for the theft of $100,000 in cash, as well as expensive bags and watches, from a rental home in Largo. Notably, investigators say he arranged the attack just hours after reporting the missing items to police himself. It was later determined that the kidnapped men were not involved in the theft. Arnold has categorically denied all the allegations through his representatives, and at a July 31 court hearing he entered a written plea of not guilty. His next court appearance is scheduled for October 5—significantly, the day after the Seahawks play the Los Angeles Chargers.
For the Seahawks, this is more than an attempt to strengthen the roster; it is a calculated risk based on Arnold’s considerable potential. Arnold, who was named an All-American during his final season at Alabama, played in 24 regular-season games for Detroit but was limited to eight games last season because of a shoulder injury that required surgery. His youth and talent make him an appealing asset, particularly at such a low price compared with his previous contract, which averaged approximately $3.5 million per year. After being released by Detroit, he attended workouts with the Houston Texans, then visited the New Orleans Saints and New York Giants before settling on Seattle.
Several influential figures within the organization vouched for Arnold. Commenting on the signing, head coach Mike Macdonald emphasized that the team had conducted a thorough review:
“We’re going to do all the necessary research. There are a lot of people who respect Terrion and speak highly of him as a person. We believe this is a great place to work, and people can become the best version of themselves if they’re given a chance.”
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe, who played with Arnold at Alabama, also played an important role in supporting the move. Milroe, who was featured in the documentary series Hard Knocks, called Arnold his “best friend” and expressed hope that he would become a “difference-maker” for the team. Assistant head coach Karl Scott, who previously tried to recruit Arnold to Alabama, also spoke in his support.
However, the darker side of the signing cannot be ignored. The NFL retains the right to place Arnold on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, which would effectively bar him from games and practices indefinitely while the league investigates the circumstances of the case. In that situation, he would not count against the 53-man roster limit but would continue to receive his salary and could attend team meetings. Macdonald acknowledged uncertainty about when—and how much—Arnold might be able to play this season, but said that “anything is possible.” The team has already indicated that it expects him to be available for preseason games, but his status for the regular season will depend on the league’s decision.
On the field, Arnold will likely immediately enter the competition for a spot in the cornerback rotation. The Seahawks already have two starting outside corners in Devon Witherspoon and Josh Jobe, who also played with Arnold at Alabama. However, the third cornerback spot, used in nickel packages, remains open. Nehemiah Pritchett currently holds the position, while rookie Julian Neal and free agent Noah Igbinoghene are also competing. Since Neal has not practiced since July because of an injury, Arnold could have an opportunity to make an impression soon. For the team, this is a chance to acquire a former first-round talent at a minimal cost. The price of that gamble, however, is reputational damage and the possibility of disciplinary action from the league. Seattle is clearly betting that Arnold’s potential will outweigh his problems and that he can return to his high level in a new environment.
Seattle Plans a Surprise: Jalen Milroe and Drew Lock to Split Time in Preseason Opener
The Seattle Seahawks’ preseason preparations are entering a decisive stage, and the team’s first exhibition game against the Dallas Cowboys promises to be far more intriguing than expected. Head coach Mike Macdonald has made an unconventional decision: instead of the traditional arrangement in which one backup quarterback plays the first half and another plays the second, he plans to rotate Drew Lock and Jalen Milroe throughout the game. According to the coach, this approach will give both players valuable experience working with different groups and allow them to showcase their strengths in real-game conditions. Starting quarterback Sam Darnold and most of the first-team players will remain on the bench, making the game an ideal opportunity to evaluate the roster’s depth.
Particular attention will be focused on Jalen Milroe, selected in the third round of the 2025 draft. He played just three snaps last season, and the coaching staff is eager to see how the young player performs with a heavier workload. Macdonald made no secret of his enthusiasm:
“I’m excited to see him go out there and show what he can do. He’s really improved his game, and I want him to be himself. There’s room for different styles of play in our system, and I want Jalen to feel comfortable and play his brand of football—the way he does in practice. Now it’s time to do it in a game situation.”
Lock, meanwhile, played just 38 snaps last season, and the Seahawks want to make sure their backup quarterback can effectively replace the starter if necessary.
The quarterback situation is not the only personnel issue facing the team. First-round pick Jadarian Price will miss the game because of soreness in the lower part of his body, although Macdonald said he is already on the road to recovery and could return to full practice soon. The running back situation has been complicated by injuries: Emanuel Wilson missed three days of practice after suffering an injury Tuesday, while Ja’Cariah Wright also remains sidelined. As a result, the Seahawks will have four healthy running backs available against Dallas: George Holani, Velus Jones Jr., T.J. Harden and Justin Jones. The latter two were signed just 10 days ago to bolster the team’s depth.
Safety Nick Emmanwori also deserves attention. He was removed from the physically unable to perform list this week after undergoing arthroscopic ankle surgery in July. Although he has not yet returned to full practice, his removal from the list allows him to participate in other aspects of team work, including meetings and film study. Macdonald said this gives the player a chance to “start doing football” rather than simply watching his teammates from the sideline. The coaching staff remains cautiously optimistic about the timetable for his full return, although no exact date has been set.
There is also some good news: fullback Robbie Oates, who was placed on injured reserve because of neck issues, could return to football as early as 2027. According to Macdonald, the planned medical procedure should help the player in the long term, and the injury is not considered career-ending. Oates, selected by Alabama in the fifth round of the 2025 draft, played in 12 regular-season games and in the playoff victory over San Francisco, but missed the conference championship game and Super Bowl because of neck problems. The coach called it an “unfortunate situation” but expressed hope for a positive outcome from treatment.
As for the rest of the roster, linebacker Derick Hall missed Friday’s practice because of an injury to his leg or foot, but Macdonald assured reporters that it was not serious and would not result in a long-term absence. Cornerback Julian Neal was also absent while recovering from an injury. Overall, the coaching staff is trying to keep the team in a positive frame of mind:
“I’m excited to see our guys play tomorrow. They’ve earned the right to go out there and play their tails off, trusting their preparation and having fun.”
Macdonald added with a smile that he hoped to avoid “excessive celebration penalties,” hinting at the importance of discipline even in preseason games.
The upcoming game against Dallas, therefore, will be more than a formality. It will be an important step in evaluating the potential of the Seahawks’ young players and the depth of the roster. The duel between Lock and Milroe will be particularly interesting, as both quarterbacks are expected to receive equal opportunities to make their case. According to The Seattle Times, the coaching staff intends to use the game to gather as much information as possible about its reserves before the regular season begins. All that remains is to wait for Saturday evening to see which quarterback can take a decisive step forward in the battle for a place in the starting lineup.
Mariners Patch Up Roster Ahead of Astros Clash: Latest News from Seattle
In the middle of a nine-game road trip, the Seattle Mariners are opening a crucial series against the AL West leaders, the Houston Astros. As the team prepares for the important matchup, the coaching staff must solve several personnel puzzles: some players are returning from injury, while others are being sidelined at the worst possible moment. The situation in the Mariners’ camp resembles a storm that occasionally calms before gathering strength again. The main storylines include the recovery of a promising pitcher, a veteran dealing with a wrist problem and an unplanned rotation in the field.
The biggest positive development for Seattle fans is the return of relief pitcher Carlos Vargas to game action. The 26-year-old right-hander, who has not yet appeared for the major-league club this season, has already made two rehab appearances in the organization’s farm system. He debuted Saturday with the Everett AquaSox of the High-A league, pitching a scoreless inning against the Vancouver Canadians. He then moved to Tacoma and took the mound Tuesday for the Triple-A Rainiers. Against the Reno Aces, he allowed no runs, giving up only two hits and recording one strikeout. The right lat strain he suffered near the end of spring training appears to be behind him.
Last season, Vargas was one of the team’s busiest relievers. His 77 innings ranked second among all Seattle middle relievers, while his 3.97 ERA, 54 strikeouts and 23 walks demonstrated his value to the bullpen. He was especially important in the playoffs, appearing in six games and pitching seven innings.
The overall picture, however, is less encouraging. Infielder J.P. Crawford, who has not played since July 29 because of inflammation in his left wrist, apparently will not return before the end of the current road trip. Team insider Shannon Drayer reported the news Thursday morning on Seattle Sports radio. Crawford, a veteran and one of the clubhouse leaders, has been placed on the injured list, and his absence is clearly affecting the team’s depth. It remains unclear when he will be able to resume full baseball activities, but Seattle does not intend to rush him back for fear of a recurrence.
The situation involving newcomer Taylor Ward adds another complication. Acquired just before the August 3 trade deadline, Ward has already established himself as one of the Mariners’ most notable additions. However, he was not in the starting lineup Thursday against the New York Yankees because of quadriceps tightness. According to Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times, the move was precautionary, but for a team fighting for every divisional win, losing even one game from a key player can be significant. Ward is expected to return within the next few days, but his condition will be evaluated immediately before the game.
The situation involving second baseman Cole Young also deserves attention. The talented rookie, one of the team’s breakout players this season, left Wednesday’s game in New York because of dizziness. He was not in the starting lineup Thursday for the first time all season, although the coaching staff kept him available on the bench. Young entered in the seventh inning as a pinch-hitter and remained in the game through the end, extending his impressive streak—he has appeared in each of Seattle’s more than 100 games this year. That suggests Young’s condition is improving, and he will likely return to the starting lineup Friday against the Astros. The young player’s toughness and determination not to let his team down are admirable, but the medical staff will undoubtedly continue to monitor him closely.
As the team prepares for the series in Houston, which begins Friday at 5:15 p.m. local time, fans can watch Seattle try to balance caution around injuries with the need to keep accumulating wins. These games are extremely important for the Mariners. Their deficit behind the Astros in the standings is not yet disastrous, but every loss could prove decisive in the race for the postseason. In addition to Vargas, the club continues to work actively in the market: recently, the Mariners claimed a former University of Washington catcher off waivers and also put in a claim on a pitcher from a direct competitor, the Texas Rangers. These moves show that management does not intend to stand still and is looking for every possible way to strengthen the roster in the middle of the race.
Ultimately, although the personnel problems create additional challenges, there is cautious optimism in Seattle’s camp. Carlos Vargas’ return and Cole Young’s progress offer hope that the team’s core can withstand the pressure. The next key questions concern the conditions of Taylor Ward and J.P. Crawford, and whether Seattle can approach the decisive stretch of the season at full strength. Updates can be followed on Seattle Sports, where these important statements were made Thursday morning.
