McCray excited at prospect of first career start

With Chancellor doubtful, undrafted free agent figures to start at safety against Browns

RENTON, Wash. — After four years in the NFL and four different teams, Kelcie McCray may finally get the chance to start a game this Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.

McCray took over for an injured Kam Chancellor in last week’s 35-6 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. With Chancellor unable to practice all week due to a bruised tailbone, McCray would get the starting nod at strong safety if Chancellor can’t play against the Browns. Chancellor is listed as questionable.

“It means a lot to me,” McCray said. “It definitely feels good knowing that the coaches and my teammates have faith in me to go out there and get the job done. It’s exciting and I’m excited to get out there.”

Chancellor played just nine defensive snaps for Seattle last week before leaving the game due to the injury. McCray stepped in and played the final 49 defensive plays.

“He played right. He was in the right spots. He saw things correctly. He fit in the running game and passing game really well. He played fast and he tackled well when he had his chances,” head coach Pete Carroll said.

McCray finished with three tackles against the Ravens and didn’t appear to have any major issues in his first extended playing time with the Seahawks. “I didn’t play a perfect game. I didn’t make any major mistakes. It’s just small little details that I’ve got to get better at that I feel like comes with experience,” McCray said.

McCray, an undrafted free agent out of Arkansas State in 2012, was acquired in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs at the end of the preseason. He’s been limited primarily to special teams duty since joining Seattle, with last week’s game in Baltimore his first real action.