Seahawks' nickelback Walter Thurmond returns to practice, could provide boost for defense

Seattle Seahawks defensive back Walter Thurmond has returned to practice with the team after making strides in his rehabilitation from a broken fibula, according to The News Tribune.

Thurmond remains on Seattle's physically unable to perform list, which means the team has two more weeks to decide whether they will add him to the active roster, but he has impressed head coach Pete Carroll since his return to the practice field.

Carroll told The News Tribune:

"He looked very quick," Carroll said. "He worked very hard to be in shape with the trainers, so he could start practicing and not have to ease him into practice and all of that. So he looked like he had really worked hard."

The third-year pro out of Oregon would likely replace Marcus Trufant in the Seahawks' nickel slot cornerback spot once he's activated. Thurmond, who fractured his fibula last October in a game against the Cleveland Browns, told reporters that he re-fractured his fibula in March, which put a crimp in his rehabilitation schedule and delayed his return to the field.

Thurmond is eager to get back into game action for the Seahawks and is focused in practice on showing the Seahawks' coaching staff that he's ready do so.

"Just giving the coaches confidence – I think that's the biggest thing," Thurmond said. "Just showing that I can still play like I was playing before I got injured, and so I've just got to prove that in practice, and earn my reps for the team."