A scary situation for Seahawks fans unfolded Friday night. After a slow first half against the Chiefs, Seattle training camp darling Tory Horton had to be helped back to the sideline out of the locker room, several minutes after the rest of his team made their way back to the field. Two trainers were supporting him, and he was no longer in pads.
The good news in Seattle was that the early update on the rookie receiver was a good one. During his post-game press conference, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald was asked about Horton’s status and he downplayed any long-term concern:
“Yeah Tory got a little bit of an ankle [injury]. He could’ve gone back in; we just shut him down. He wanted to go back in — that was my call.”
Preseason injuries are always tough, but it’s a good sign that Horton could have — and wanted to — check back into the game. Macdonald may have further updates next week, but for now at least it appears Horton won’t miss significant time.
Tory Horton Is Having a Great Camp
Despite being a fifth-round pick, Horton has been getting serious hype out of camp, seemingly every day. Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen went as far as to call him “Jerry Rice Jr.” to team reporter John Boyle, continuing the narrative that this guy is someone to watch. His teammate in the Seattle defensive backfield, rookie safety Nick Emmanwori, declared Horton the “steal of the draft.” Clearly, the guys he’s going up against in practice every day have a tremendous amount of respect for him. Crucially, however, that respect is beginning to extend to the coaching staff, as well.
“I’m seeing the same thing you guys are,” Macdonald said to Boyle on August 4th. “…He’s making multiple plays every day.” It’s not just words with Macdonald, either. His staff’s actions back up those sentiments. Per Gregg Bell, Horton appeared to jump wider receiver Jake Bobo on the depth chart as of August 1. He began running with the first-team offense, notably in two-minute drill scrimmages. That is a great spot to be in if you’re Horton, though as the top two receiver spots are taken by Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp, the empty spot on the depth chart behind them waiting to be claimed.
More than just opportunity, Horton’s skillset perfectly complements Smith-Njigba’s and Kupp’s. Those two operate primarily out of the slot, and they do most of their damage underneath and after the catch. Horton is a downfield, vertical burner who can decimate defenses over the top and on the outside. It’s a great match.
Tory Horton Was a Star in College
Darryl Oumi/GettyHONOLULU, HAWAII – NOVEMBER 25: Tory Horton #14 of the Colorado State Rams leaps and comes down with a pass during the first half of their game against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex on November 25, 2023 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images)
Horton wasn’t always supposed to be a fifth-round pick. Heading into the 2024 college football season, he was seen as a potential Day 2 selection and a popular second-round pick among evaluators. He was coming off back-to-back seasons of over 1,000 receiving yards, with 71 receptions for 1,131 yards and eight touchdowns in 2022, and 96 catches for 1,136 yards and eight touchdowns in 2023.
However, a lingering knee injury in 2024 dropped his stock significantly. Horton only played in five games last season, totaling 26 catches for 353 yards and a touchdown. That knee injury continued to bother him throughout the pre-draft process, likely affecting his 40-yard-dash times. Horton said in an interview with Boyle: “It was quite a push [to run at the Combine] and I wasn’t 100 percent. I wasn’t even 70 percent. …I was mad at the combine that I ran the 4.41. I knew I had 4.3 in me. But at the end of the day, the knee wasn’t all the way there yet, but I did want to show those scouts and people that I am a competitor.”
Horton’s competitive edge served him well, and it should continue to do so. He’s in the midst of a seismic camp rise, and he’s proving it on the field. In Seattle’s first preseason game, he had three catches for 31 yards and a touchdown, giving the fans in attendance a glimpse of what he can be.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Seahawks Get Good News on Rookie WR Tory Horton appeared first on Heavy Sports.