RENTON - After getting positive feedback from linebackers K.J. Wright and D.J. Alexander, five more members of the Seahawks are away from the team this week to have Regenokine procedures on ailing areas.
Defensive ends Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett, guard Luke Joeckel, wide receiver Tyler Lockett and linebacker Michael Wilhoite were all absent from practice on Monday and will miss the final week of the preseason while receiving the treatment. They are expected to re-join the team Thursday in Oakland.
"Our guys that have gone through it have really been positive about it, brought back really good reinforcement thoughts," head coach Pete Carroll said. "We're just kind of banking on that."
Wright left two weeks ago to have an issue with his knee addressed. Upon his return to the team, Alexander left last week to have the same procedure done.
The idea behind the treatment is to remove anti-inflammatory agents from the blood and reinsert it into an injured area to help with pain issues in joints, muscles and more. The original procedure, developed in Germany under the name "Orthokine," is illegal in the United States because of the way the blood is treated. The treatments are among the stem cell family of therapy options.
"We're doing it all to make sure that they're strong going into the start of the season," Carroll said.
Joeckel, who is returning from a torn ACL last year, and Bennett are both having their knees addressed. Lockett is returning from a broken leg at the end of last season. Wilhoite has been dealing with a calf injury and Avril had offseason sports hernia surgery.
Joeckel, Bennett and Avril have played in all three preseason games without issue. Wilhoite had missed the last two games with the calf injury. Lockett has been held out of games but has been practicing for the last several weeks.
Frank Clark seeing specialist for injured wrist:
Defensive end Frank Clark was already dealing with an injured thumb coming out of the team's preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings. Now he's dealing with a wrist injury as well and seeking an opinion from a specialist.
"He’s got a wrist that’s bothering him and he’s seeing a specialist today to see what happened there," Carroll said.
Clark was involved in a collision with Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Bryan Witzmann and running back Kareem Hunt that led Clark to clutch his right wrist in pain late in the second quarter of Friday night's victory.
Clark did not return to the game and did not practice on Monday.
Photo Credit: SEATTLE, WA - AUGUST 25: Defensive end Michael Bennett #72 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at CenturyLink Field on August 25, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)