RENTON -- Seahawks strong safety Jamal Adams was not in attendance for the start of the team's mandatory mini-camp on Tuesday. However, the reason for Adams' absence isn't because of a contract dispute with the team. At least not according to head coach Pete Carroll.

"He's got a family thing that he's working on that he needed to be there," Carroll said of Adams' excused absence following practice on Tuesday.

Adams was one of just three players not on hand for the start of camp. Running back Chris Carson is away from the team as Carroll said they are expecting the birth of child shortly. Defensive end Aldon Smith was also not present -- as he hasn't been for the public voluntary workouts so far this offseason. Smith was charged with battery in an incident that happened in a New Orleans suburb back in April that has yet to be resolved.

Adams is entering the last year of his contract with the team after coming over in a trade from the New York Jets last season. It's the fifth-year option season of his rookie contract. Adams was wanting a new contract from the Jets prior to his trade to Seattle. The issue was a problem once he got to the team last season but the prospect of a new deal becoming necessary was obvious, especially after he set a record for sacks by a defensive back last season.

Carroll said that talks between the two sides regarding a contract have been cordial but they haven't managed to cross the finish line as of yet.

"It's been ongoing and it's been amicable throughout," Carroll said. "We recognize that he's a fantastic football player and we're in the midst of it. It's a big contract process but I know he knows he's been treated with a lot of respect and he's been very respectful towards the club as well. They've been good talks and just hasn't been able to get settled at this point but it's coming. We expect him for camp and everything. Should be fine."

A holdout has been a possibility, though the logistics of actually holding out following the implementation of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement makes such tactics more difficult. Carroll's belief that Adams will be at camp speaks to either confidence in a new deal being completed prior to training camp beginning at the end of July or a faith from Adams that one will be coming eventually to where a leverage tactic such as a holdout wouldn't be prudent.

"I know that they we're counting on him being back in camp and he wants to be at camp too so we're gonna do everything to make that happen," Carroll said.

In addition to the three players not in attendance for workouts, four more players were on-site but not participating: tackle Duane Brown, running back Rashaad Penny, wide receiver D'Wayne Eskridge and running back Travis Homer.

Just before practice got underway, Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network reported that Brown is also seeking a new contract from the team as he enters the final year of his deal with Seattle.

Brown was on the practice field but did not take part in Tuesday's workouts.

Carroll didn't get into specifics with Brown's situation but indicated they want to keep Brown in Seattle as long as he wants to keep playing.

“He’s a remarkable player and a remarkable athlete and takes great care of himself and has given himself to have an extended career beyond where most guys can make it,” Carroll said. “We love him. He’s a big part of what we’re doing and we’re counting on him being with us. We’ll look down the road together, and we’ll see what’s the right thing to do coming up. He’s just been a great part of our program and his leadership, his toughness, what he stands for as a man, he’s just a remarkable guy, so we would love for him to be with us. If he wants to keep playing, we want him to keep playing.”

Brown has been Seattle's answer at left tackle since acquiring him in a trade midway through the 2017 season. Brown, 35, will turn 36 years old at the end of training camp and will be entering his 14th season in the NFL this fall.

“We’re helping Duane get through a great offseason,” Carroll said of Brown sitting out. “He’s doing terrific right now. We’re just going to keep cruising on through it and make sure that he’s at his very best. We’re always talking about the business stuff, so that’s always something that’s topical, because he is in his last year coming up. But everything is going great, and he’s had a great offseason so far — better than it was last year. He is ahead of schedule, so he’s in good shape.”

Penny had a cleanup procedure on his knee this offseason that is currently keeping him sidelined. Penny tore the ACL in his knee late in the 2019 season and missed most of last year as he worked back into form. The cleanup procedure was to the same left knee.

"Sometimes you have a serious knee injury it just takes a whole 'nother year to get back," Carroll said. "Just the cleanup stuff and what he's ready to take on right now... he can run full speed, we just want to make sure that his strength is balanced out in his quads and so there's no reason for us to take a chance right now."

Eskridge is dealing with a sore big toe and Homer is dealing with a minor calf issue and is being held out.

Photo Credit: Seattle Seahawks defensive end Benson Mayowa (No. 95) attacks a blocking sled under the watch of assistant head coach/defensive line Clint Hurtt as Kerry Hyder Jr. (No. 51) and Carlos Dunlap II (No. 8) look on during a mini-camp practice on June 15, 2021. (photo by Curtis Crabtree / Sports Radio 950 KJR)

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