RENTON, Wash. - While the Seattle Seahawks remain uncertain as to when rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon will be available coming off his hamstring injury, coach Pete Carroll said Wednesday that their other first-round pick, wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, is expected to play in Sunday's season opener against the Los Angeles Rams.
Smith-Njigba, the 20th overall pick and the first receiver selected in April's NFL Draft, had surgery two weeks ago to repair a fracture in his left wrist. He returned to practice last Tuesday. During the warmup period of Seahawks practices - which is all that reporters who cover the team are allowed to view at this point - Smith-Njigba has been seen with his left wrist heavily wrapped.