duane-brown.jpg
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Seattle Seahawks left tackle Duane Brown has not practiced in over a month, as he is "holding in" in hopes of securing a new contract. His strategy has not worked up to this point, but head coach Pete Carroll said this week he's counting on his left tackle to be ready when the Seahawks open the season up against the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 12.

"I'm counting on him," Carroll said, via Pro Football Talk. "I'm counting on him being ready."

Brown is entering the final year of the three-year, $36.5 million extension he signed prior to the 2018 season. He is due $13.29 million this season with a base salary of $10 million, and his $11.5 million annual average currently makes him the No. 16 highest-paid player at his position, according to Over The Cap. 

The five-time Pro Bowler celebrated his 36th birthday just days ago. While he has shown no signs of slowing down, he's still 36. CBS Sports NFL cap expert Joel Corry says the reluctance Seattle has in giving Brown a new deal stems from age. While Brown has not practiced in weeks, Carroll said that he's still been working hard in meetings like the rest of his teammates. 

"He's been on everything," Carroll said. "He's been working out, he's been in all of the walk-through stuff, he's taken all those reps, he's done all the meetings, everything, active part in all of that."

We haven't heard the last about this situation, and even star quarterback Russell Wilson put pressure on the franchise last month to find a way to make Brown happy. 

"Not having Duane Brown out there is a pretty significant deal because I think he's one of the best left tackles in the game, there's no arguing it," Wilson said last month, via ESPN. "I think he's as good as it gets. There's nobody more athletic, more talented than he is. Age is just a number. He looks like he's 28-30 out there. He's really exceptional. So smart and physical, understands the game, and I think people fear him, to be honest with you, when they're rushing him and playing against him.

"So we definitely want to be able to get him back out there. We've got to figure that out because we need Duane Brown."

Will Russ cook in 2021, or will the Seahawks sizzle? Can the offense keep pace in a loaded NFC West? Get the CBS Sports app and find out. Our experts have the pulse of the Seahawks and will answer your burning questions. If you already have the app, set the Seahawks as your favorite team and get news even faster.