Seahawks set to start training camp without starters at two positions crucial to 2024 hopes

If the Seattle Seahawks are to contend in 2024, they need big improvements at tackle and at linebacker.

But they are set to start training camp without prospective starters at both positions.

The Seahawks announced on Thursday that they have placed the following players on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list:

• RT Abraham Lucas
• LB Jerome Baker
• LB Tyrel Dodson
• CB Lance Boykin
• S Jerrick Reed II
• LB Drake Thomas
• NT Cameron Young

Lucas will be the Seahawks' starting right tackle if healthy, but he played only six games last season owing to a knee injury. He had surgery on the injury but is still recovering.

Of more concern will be the fact that neither of their new starting linebackers, Baker and Dodson, are healthy enough to practice under a week out from the start of training camp on July 24.

Baker had surgery on a wrist issue in January and missed both OTAs and minicamp . Head coach Mike MacDonald said back in May that Baker would not be ready until training camp, but now he appears set to miss that deadline.

Dodson, meanwhile, remains out with an undisclosed injury having also missed the Seahawks' workout program.

The Seahawks have seen their linebackers completely tormented by the dynamic offenses of division foes the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams in recent seasons.

New head coach Mike MacDonald has previously demonstrated during his spell as defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens that his scheme can frustrate the Kyle Shanahan offense.

But his efforts to do so with Seattle won't work unless they have athletic and versatile linebackers at the heart of a defense that relies on disguise and creative blitz packages.

Baker and Dodson obviously both need time on the field to properly to adapt to the MacDonald system. That neither of the Seahawks' free agent signings at linebacker is ready to take that step should be a significant worry for Seattle.

The Seahawks also placed the following players on the NFI list:

• G Anthony Bradford
• LB Easton Gibbs
• CB D.J. James
• CB Nehemiah Pritchett
• WR Dee Williams

Bradford is the Seahawks' projected starting right guard, though his injury could provide more opportunities for rookie third-round pick Christian Haynes , while James and Pritchett were both drafted by Seattle out of Auburn.

Related: Seahawks' Boye Mafe explains why Byron Murphy II is in great spot to immediately live up to draft status