San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman will return to Seattle on Sunday for the first time since the Seahawks cut him in March. The former Pro Bowler said there's no bad blood heading into the reunion. But he didn't exactly have warm wishes for a former teammate.
Sherman was asked Thursday if he was ready to go against Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and if the 49ers could limit him from making plays outside the pocket. He downplayed Wilson's ability.
"Yeah, I've also seen him throw five picks in the game, so you see what he's capable of on both sides of it," Sherman told reporters. "You understand that he can be defended, so you go out there and give it your best shot."
Wilson threw five interceptions in a loss to the Green Bay Packers in the 2016 season.
While Sherman said he doesn't have "any ill will towards" coach Pete Carroll, he described his relationship with Wilson as nonexistent.
"I don't really have a relationship with Russell," Sherman said. "We were teammates. We played through a very special time for the franchise."
Earlier in the week, Wilson praised Sherman as a "Hall of Fame corner" and credited him for making an impact on his career and helping Seattle win a Super Bowl in 2014.
Sherman was cut by Seattle while he was recovering from a torn Achilles tendon.
"You just expect after you've done so much for a franchise that they wouldn't cut you while you're hurt," Sherman said. "It's kind of more of a respect thing than anything, but they did, so you have got to kind of roll with the business."
The 49ers (2-9) are underdogs against the Seahawks (6-5), who are in the NFC playoff race.
