RENTON -- Linebacker K.J. Wright has back at practice this week and is expected to play Friday night against Kansas City. He was away from the team last week undergoing Regenokine therapy on a bothersome knee.
The procedure was developed in Germany and called "Orthokine." However, that specific treatment is still illegal in the United States. Regenokine is an adapted version of the treatment that is accessible in the U.S.
Kobe Bryant, Alex Rodriguez, and former Mariners pitcher Charlie Furbush are among athletes to have had the procedure.
"I don’t even know if we can’t talk about it," head coach Pete Carroll said. "I was always afraid I wouldn’t pronounce it right. But what I know it is called is Regenokine. OK, that is the process they went through.”
The basic idea behind the procedure is that anti-inflammatory agents are removed from the blood of a patient and the blood is then reinserted into a painful area to help encourage healing. Differences in how the blood is handled in the two procedures is why Orthokine is banned in the United State, but Regenokine is legal.
Wright said he began to feel discomfort in his knee during OTAs and decided to have the procedure done to help alleviate some of the pain before the start of the season.
"There was no specific thing," Wright said. "Just sometimes things happen, things pop up, flare up. Just want to make sure you take care of it."
"I’m out there running full speed. Looking like the cheetah I am."
Linebacker D.J. Alexander has since gone to have the same procedure one on his ailing knee.
"He went through a process last week same thing as K.J. did," Carroll said. "He was just a couple days behind him in the cycle of it. He didn’t quite make it back this week for this game, but next week - hoping we can keep him moving forward - will be the chance for him to show. I really love this kid and he’s got a bunch to add to us, in particular, in special teams. We are going to see if we can get him right for the opener."
Running backs Thomas Rawls (ankle) and C.J. Prosise (groin) will not play against the Chiefs. Both played in the preseason opener against the Los Angeles Chargers but will have missed games two and three.
"They're both doing really well and they're both, like, right there to play," Carroll said. "Both guys, I think, if we were playing in a regular season game they'd be pushing to play. We'd be pushing them to go ahead because we thought it was safe but let's just take another week. That's really how we're doing it. Let's take another week, get them through this weekend. We know that they'll be better off if we do that."
Linebacker Michael Wilhoite did not play last week against Minnesota and missed practice all week as he's been dealing with a calf injury.
"We are just trying to get him back, you know," Carroll said. "He’s not ready to go yet. It’s really disappointing for Mike. He is a really good football player in that which he has shown has been really clear that he can help us in a number of ways. So here again with him, we are trying to make sure that he is ready to go when we put him out there."
Wide receiver Paul Richardson will play while Carroll said they continue to be cautious with Tyler Lockett.
"I am still watching him though," Carroll said." I still want to make sure we are taking all the time we have available. There is no reason to rush him.
"He’s dying to play football; he wants to play. He just wants to get the feeling and get out there. All of these guys want to get out on the field and get going. We may or may not exercise that, so we'll see."
Cornerback DeAndre Elliott is dealing with a concussion while center Joey Hunt is working back from an ankle injury.
Photo Credit: CARSON, CA - AUGUST 13: Running back Melvin Gordon #28 of the Los Angeles Chargers rushes as he is tackled by Mike Wilhoite #57 and Nazair Jones #92 of the Seattle Seahawks during a pre season football game at StubHub Center August 13, 2017, in Carson, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)