Kam Chancellor and Russell Okung on their returns to practice

Safety Kam Chancellor and left tackle Russell Okung were both drafted in 2010, they have both earned Pro Bowl honors, and this offseason they both had surgery that caused them to miss offseason workouts and the beginning of training camp. On Monday, both returned to the practice field, though on a limited basis, and on Tuesday both discussed their returns to action with the media.

“I’m feeling great,” Chancellor said. “Feeling really good.”

“I’m on schedule of where I want to be. I feel like I’m getting healthy. I feel like I’m on a perfect schedule to get right back on the field and get ready to go.”

Chancellor confirmed that the hip injury he had cleaned up is an old one, something that has bothered him going back to his college days at Virginia Tech.

“It was just something to clean up some old stuff that was going on through my hip,” he said. “It’s better now and I’m ready to keep going… It was something that lingered from college. It was something I dealt with for a while, some of the pain and whatnot, fought through it, but now it’s good.”

When the questions kept coming about his injury, Chancellor laughed and said, “My hip feels fine.”

Asked if he would play at all this preseason—there is virtually no chance he’ll play in this week’s game—Chancellor said, “I’m not sure yet. Whenever the team allows me to get out there and play my game, I’ll go out there.”

“I’m just going to go out here and practice day-to-day, do whatever the coaches ask me to do, and go in whenever they allow me to.”

As for Okung, the left tackle needed foot surgery this offseason following an injury that cost him eight games last season, and clearly affected him the rest of the way.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” he said. “It’s great to be back out here after a really long offseason, at least to me. Now that I’m on my path to recovery, I’m just very grateful to be back out here playing some ball.”

Asked about the decision to have surgery—Pete Carroll had said after the season that Okung may not need it—Okung said, “We just sat down with the coaches and training staff, and thought it was my best move going forward. We didn’t really want to struggle with it anymore, and I’m just glad I’m back.”

Okung didn’t get into details when asked how much the injury affected him late last season, saying only that, “Football’s a tough game. There’s not a guy out there who’s not playing hurt, so you just kind of accept it and role with the punches.”

Asked how close he is to being all the way back, Okung said, “Really close, really close.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.