The Seattle Seahawks are making a contingency plan in the secondary. With rookie safety Nick Emmanwori recovering from ankle surgery, the team worked out veteran Donovan Wilson on Wednesday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Wilson spent the last seven seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, starting 75 of his 98 career games there. At 31, he’s not a splashy name. But he knows Seattle defensive coordinator Aden Durde from their time together in Dallas, which probably explains why the Seahawks made the call.
What Wilson Brings to the Table
The numbers are solid for a depth addition. Wilson has racked up 444 combined tackles, 13 sacks, eight interceptions, nine forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries over his career. A sixth-round pick out of Texas A&M in 2019, he carved out a role as a reliable box safety who isn’t afraid to hit.
Even if Emmanwori gets back to full speed, Wilson could stick around as veteran insurance. Seattle’s secondary has some young pieces, and adding someone who knows the system (or at least knows the coordinator’s preferences) makes sense.
Emmanwori’s Timeline Remains Uncertain
Emmanwori, the Seahawks’ second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, had surgery after dealing with persistent ankle soreness throughout the offseason. The team hasn’t ruled out a Week 1 return against the New England Patriots on September 9. But recovery from an ankle procedure is always unpredictable, especially for a 22-year-old whose game relies on explosive movement.
His rookie season was promising — 81 tackles, 11 pass deflections, and an interception. The Seahawks clearly saw him as a building block. Losing him for any real stretch would sting.
Wilson hasn’t signed yet. The workout was just a look-see. But it tells you the front office is covering its bases, which is smart given Emmanwori’s surgery came right at the start of camp. Teams that wait until September to address depth usually regret it.
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