The Sports Xchange

RENTON, Wash. — The Seattle Seahawks could not have asked for a better beginning to training camp, except for one big omission — the continued absence of strong safety Kam Chancellor.

Chancellor is holding out in search of a new contract, or some sort of enhancement to his salary.

Otherwise, the Seahawks have had a lot to like about the first 10 days.

Quarterback Russell Wilson and middle linebacker Bobby Wagner each signed four-year extensions to kick off the first two days. All of the key players have so far stayed healthy, and veterans such as running back Marshawn Lynch, defensive end Michael Bennett and linebacker Bruce Irvin have looked in the best shape of their careers.

“Really good progress across the board,” head coach Pete Carroll said after the Seahawks wrapped up practice on Monday.

A few questions do remain, though, as the Seahawks prepare for their preseason opener Friday against the Denver Broncos.

At the top of the list is the status of Chancellor, who has three years left on his contract and is due to make $4.5 million this season.

Chancellor also has received all of the $17 million guaranteed him in the deal, which he signed in the spring of 2013, and, according to an ESPN report, he might be willing to report if the team guaranteed some or all of his future base salaries.

The Seahawks, though, don’t want to set a precedent of caving in to holdouts, and especially with players who have more than a year remaining on their contracts.

So for now, the two sides appear to be at a stalemate.

Carroll said on Saturday that he had not talked to Chancellor for a few days and said there was nothing new to report.

Seattle’s preseason opener against Denver figures to serve as an audition for the players who are vying to be Chancellor’s backups or replacement if his holdout continues.

DeShawn Shead, a fourth-year player, has been working mostly with the first team throughout camp. But second-year safety Dion Bailey, from USC, has made a recent run and figures to get significant work against the Broncos.

Steven Terrell, meanwhile, will fill in at free safety in place of Earl Thomas, who is off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and due back in a few weeks.

The preseason games also will serve as a chance for players at two other positions of uncertainty — center and left guard — to win those jobs.

Seattle needs a new center after the trade of Max Unger in the deal that netted tight end Jimmy Graham.

Veteran Lemuel Jeanpierre has been the leader most of camp, but Drew Nowak, a practice-squad player last year who is in his third season, has made a recent run, and the two are neck-and-neck as the preseason begins.

Alvin Bailey is thought to be the leader for the left guard spot, where the Seahawks need a replacement for James Carpenter, who departed to the New York Jets via free agency.

But the Seahawks have had a revolving door of prospects at the spot in recent days, with Keavon Milton being the latest to get his turn. For now, it appears Bailey and Milton are the top two at that spot, and each will get lots of work against the Broncos to try to sort it out.

The Seahawks are pretty set everywhere else, though, and for many fans, the preseason opener is a chance to see the debut of Graham.

Graham had some standout performances in the spring and early in camp, but has had trouble consistently connecting with Wilson in recent days.

“They’re not there yet,” Carroll said after Monday’s practice. “It’s just going to take time. The intricacies of the things that they’re trying to do together go way deep, so it’s going to take them a lot of time.

“We missed a hot today, a couple of things. Russell was too early with the ball one time to him. They worked after practice on Saturday as well; they’re trying to catch up. Both of them are really determined to get this thing figured out. They’re doing great, but there’s more room for them to make up.”

–LB Bruce Irvin said he put on 18 pounds during the offseason, getting to almost 260, and has drawn raves from coaches so far for his performance, using his increased strength to make him that much more effective rushing the passer.

–CB Tharold Simon, rehabbing from offseason shoulder surgery, might need another week or two before returning. But the Seahawks say he should be ready for a preseason game.

–WR Paul Richardson remains on the PUP list while rehabbing from surgery to repair an ACL injury sustained in the playoff game against Carolina. It’s unclear when Richardson will return.

–CB Jeremy Lane also remains on the PUP list because of knee and arm injuries suffered in the Super Bowl and is unlikely to be ready for the start of the season.

–RB Robert Turbin revealed he had offseason surgery to repair torn labrums in each of his hips but feels fully recovered. He remains in the lead to be RB Marshawn Lynch’s backup.