Originally published October 23, 2014 at 5:29 PM | Page modified October 24, 2014 at 3:51 PM
Seahawks deny reports of a divided locker room
Russell Wilson, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor denied reports of a division within the Seahawks players in the locker room. “There’s none at all,” Wilson said. “If anything, I think that we have continued to build.”
Seattle Times staff reporter
RENTON – Three high-profile Seahawks on Thursday denied reports of a divided locker room that have surfaced since the stunning trade last week of receiver Percy Harvin.
One story from Bleacher Report stated that one reason for Harvin’s trade was that he was “an accelerant’’ in a locker room dividing into pro-Russell Wilson and anti-Russell Wilson factions.
Wilson, in his weekly media availability Thursday, said reports of unrest in the locker room are untrue.
“There’s no division in our locker room,’’ Wilson said. “There’s none at all. If anything, I think that we have continued to build, continued to grow. I truly believe that.’’
Asked about his relationship with Harvin, Wilson said, “Percy and I never had differences. ... I’m not sure why the media tries to blow everything out of proportion. It’s part of it, I guess. You have to deal with it, but you have to ignore it, too.’’
Wilson said he doesn’t think there is any difference in the locker room this year compared to his first two seasons and said, “Our locker room is great. We have guys here that are very positive and really want to work and really want to win. That’s what we need, and we have that and that’s what we are relying on, the positive mentality of the guys that we have in the room.’’
Safety Earl Thomas noted that the makeup of the locker room is different because there are new players from a year ago. “It’s a different personality,’’ he said. “It’s new people. It’s not the same. It’s not the same team. But you adapt. That’s what leaders do, that’s what great teams do.’’
Thomas said any suggestion of a widespread rift in the locker room is off-base.
“They are not here,’’ Thomas said. “They don’t know, unless you are a player in here. I think this team is in the right direction. We are going to come together.’’
Safety Kam Chancellor said he hadn’t seen or heard of the reports but said, “If it has come up, it’s ridiculous because I haven’t been aware of that.’’
Bryan Walters out Thursday
Two names were added to Seattle’s injury list — receiver/returner Bryan Walters (concussion) and defensive lineman Michael Bennett (toe).
The Walters injury could have a significant impact on the game Sunday as he is now handling kickoff returns with Harvin gone, as well as returning punts.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll does not meet the media on Thursdays, so no additional details were available on the injuries to Walters or Bennett.
Receiver Doug Baldwin is listed as the backup at both the punt- and kickoff-return spots, but other options could include Richard Sherman, Thomas (who was the punt returner for the opener against Green Bay) and receivers Paul Richardson and Kevin Norwood.
Among those also out was cornerback Byron Maxwell, sidelined with a calf injury since the Dallas game. That makes it more likely Tharold Simon will again start at cornerback.
Returning to practice were Chancellor (ankle) and RBs Marshawn Lynch (rest) and Robert Turbin (shoulder), all of whom were out or limited on Wednesday.
Twitter @bcondotta
