Russell Wilson, Jimmy Graham miss Seahawks OTA to attend funeral

ByTerry Blount ESPN logo
Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and tight end Jimmy Graham will miss the first day of organized team activities Tuesday to attend the funeral of Graham's personal manager in Florida.

Danny O'Neil of 710 ESPN Radio Seattle first reported their absences.

Tammy Meyersonpassed away Friday in Miami. According to her obituary, she "loved and mentored Jimmy Graham as a son."

Graham tweeted a remembrance Tuesday morning before her funeral.

Defensive ends Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett also are missing OTAs on Tuesday. Avril reportedly is attending to a personal matter. He said on Instagram that his father died three days ago.

Bennett has said he is seeking a change in his contract status. Bennett signed a four-year, $28.5 million deal in March 2014 that has $16 million of guaranteed money, but he wants to be paid among the top defensive ends in the league.

According to the 710 ESPN Radio report, the team knew about all the absences Tuesday except Bennett's.

Wilson's absence leaves the Seahawks with only two quarterbacks at the OTAs in B.J. Daniels and R.J. Archer, neither of whom has taken a snap in an NFL game. Veteran Tarvaris Jackson, who was the backup quarterback last season, is a free agent.

OTAs are voluntary team workouts. Tuesday's session is the first of three OTAs this week.