RENTON, Wash. (AP) The decision by the Seattle Seahawks to sign former All-Pro guard Jahri Evans is not a sign the Seahawks are ready to go through another training camp with changes on the offensive line.
At least, not yet.
''I feel great. I still feel like I'm a top guard in the league, if not the best,'' Evans said. ''It is what it is. I'm going out there to work hard and show it on the field.''
Evans went through his first practice with the Seahawks on Sunday, although he was limited just to position drills as Seattle had a mock game later in the afternoon practice. His workload will ramp up over the next few days as the Seahawks prepare for their preseason opener on Saturday in Kansas City.
Despite his credentials there is no guarantee that Evans will be a starter in Seattle. At the very least Evans will bring experience. Evans has 153 career starts, while the rest of the Seahawks' offensive line has just 136 combined.
And he could provide the Seahawks flexibility if needed. The Seahawks have gone through most of the offseason program with the same three interior linemen: Mark Glowinski at left guard, Justin Britt at center and first-round pick Germin Iefdi at right guard. Last season, the Seahawks made two significant changes in the middle of training camp that were part of the reason the offensive line struggled through the first half of the season.
Carroll said at some point during camp Ifedi will get a look at right tackle where he played in college. J'Marcus Webb has been the starting right tackle for the first week of camp.
''That may come up here down the road a little bit, but not right now. We really want him to dig in at right guard,'' Carroll said. ''We certainly know he can (play tackle). We don't want to confuse the issue right now. We want to really get him to focus. But before camp is over he will play some right tackle for us.''
Evans, who turns 33 on Aug. 22, was released by the Saints in February. He was a six-time Pro Bowl selection and four-time first-team All-Pro during his 10 years in New Orleans. Evans was surprised to be unemployed for this long, especially after his representatives had initial conversations with the Seahawks shortly after the draft.
''There is a business side to this thing. I really wasn't worried. I was more trying to get somewhere with a good fit,'' Evans said.
The past couple of days have been a bit unusual for Evans learning and going through his first practice at left guard. The last time he remembered playing somewhere other than right guard was in college when he was a left tackle. Carroll said starting Evans out at left guard is by design since they have a good idea of what he can provide on the right side.
''I think this is a really interesting opportunity for us to be able to bring him in,'' Carroll said. ''He has not been told he'll be a starter or anything like that. He's been brought in to compete and hoping he'll add to our level of play.''
Notes: RB Thomas Rawls (ankle) was activated off the physically unable to perform list on Sunday and is expected to begin practicing when the Seahawks return from Monday's day off. Rawls will be brought along slowly, Carroll said, but his return to practice is an optimistic sign he'll be ready for the season opener on Sept. 11. ... Carroll said TE Jimmy Graham (knee) isn't ready to be brought off the PUP list yet. ... DE Frank Clark and SS Kam Chancellor are both expected to return to practice on Tuesday after sitting out with minor injuries.
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