Seattle Seahawks rookie right guard Germain Ifedi is expected to be sidelined for at least three weeks due to a high ankle sprain.
Ifedi, Seattle’s first-round draft pick, suffered the injury during Wednesday’s practice. He was scheduled to start Sunday’s opener against the Miami Dolphins.
Ifedi played collegiately at Texas A&M and had blended in well with the Seahawks. The 31st-overall selection quickly became a training camp standout and seized the starting position.
His progress was so pronounced that the team felt comfortable releasing veteran guard Jahri Evans, a six-time Pro Bowler who has since re-signed with the New Orleans Saints.
The Seahawks’ offensive line has just one starter at the same position as last season — right tackle Garry Gilliam.
Among the possibilities to start in place of Ifedi are Rees Odhiambo, J’Marcus Webb and Justin Britt. Webb is the backup right tackle this season but was the starter at right guard for the Oakland Raiders last season.
Odhiambo was Seattle’s third-round pick this year. Britt was a second-round selection in 2014.