That doesn't mean Ruud is stepping into the spot right away, though, as coach Pete Carroll said that Ruud is still working to get healthy after being slowed by knee, shoulder and groin injuries.

"We've got him healthy first," coach Pete Carroll said. "He's not healthy yet."

Ruud played nine games for Tennessee last season before he was placed on injured reserve because of the groin injury. He had missed only one game in his previous seven seasons combined. The Seahawks signed him to a one-year deal, a veteran capable of stepping in and calling a defense right away. First, he has to come back.

"He is working out," Carroll said. "He's doing a lot of stuff, but we're going to be very careful with him, bringing him back. He's never been hurt before."

So who's currently manning the middle of Seattle's defense during workouts? Well, that really depends on what happens in this week's draft. K.J. Wright -- last year's fourth-round pick -- could do it, but he played 15 games at strongside linebacker last season.

"He's fine either place," Carroll said of Wright. "He's fine about playing either place.

"It really does add to our flexibility in the draft. It helps us a little bit knowing that we have that choice. I think we can really max him out inside or outside depending on what happens in the next week."