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Former Michigan State defensive lineman Malik McDowell was the Seattle Seahawks’ first pick (and 35th overall) in the 2017 NFL Draft, but a horrible vehicular accident has prevented him from being on the football field, and there is a significant update on his future.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on Monday that the Seahawks are expected to release McDowell, who still hasn’t been medically cleared to return to the gridiron.
The #Seahawks have not yet cleared 2017 2nd round pick DT Malik McDowell, and source said they are expected to release him in the near future. The hope is that another team will medically clear him.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 16, 2018
Just prior to the start of last year’s training camp, McDowell suffered multiple injuries, including a “really bad concussion” according to head coach Pete Carroll, in an ATV accident in his home state of Michigan. He was placed on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list shortly thereafter.
Carroll did indicate last October that there was a chance that McDowell would be able to return in 2017, but just one month later he declared him out for the season, citing no progress being made.
At last month’s NFL league meeting, when asked about any new updates on McDowell, Carroll replied, “No, sorry. I haven’t had a good response for you in a long time on that one, sorry.” Well it appears we have our answer now, and it looks as if should the 21-year-old ever play a snap in the NFL, it won’t be for Seattle.