Seahawks' Nick Emmanwori out for Super Bowl rematch against Patriots

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The Seattle Seahawks will be without one of the key components of their defense in the team's season-opening Super Bowl 60 rematch.

Defensive back Nick Emmanwori is inactive for the matchup against the New England Patriots.

Emmanwori had been listed as questionable after being a limited participant in the practices leading up to the tilt.

The second-year nickel had been a vital presence for Mike Macdonald's defense. A finalist for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, Emmanwori helped allow the Seahawks to play in light boxes yet allow a league-low 3.7 yards per carry.

His absence creates an added level of uncertainty for a Seahawks secondary that was already without safety Ty Okada, who was previously ruled out of the matchup with a hamstring injury. Seattle also lost safety Coby Bryant and cornerback Riq Woolen in free agency.

The Patriots, meanwhile, are expected to have a significantly more imposing receiving corps after adding A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs as NFL MVP runner-up Drake Maye's top targets.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Seahawks' Nick Emmanwori out for Super Bowl rematch against Patriots