RENTON, Wash. -- The Seattle Seahawks would surely prefer to have their full complement of defensive backs healthy, present and available. But there is a positive aspect to all the absences their secondary has had to deal with of late, one that cornerback Richard Sherman pointed to on Wednesday.

"It's given some of the other guys a chance to grow, a chance to play more, to get more plays, to get more experience than they would have if we were practicing," Sherman said. "Obviously it gives us the chance to rest our legs a little bit."

Seattle's secondary has been almost unrecognizable at times during training camp and into the preseason. Earl Thomas only returned to practice last week as he's coming off major shoulder surgery, while there's been no sign whatsoever of Seattle's other starting safety, Kam Chancellor, who is holding out. Sherman hasn't played in either of the team's first two preseason games because of a minor issue with his hip flexor. The same goes for nickelback Will Blackmon, who was sidelined with a groin injury. Cornerback Cary Williams is the only projected starter in Seattle's secondary who hasn't missed any time.

That has pressed several younger players into action. Second-year strong safety Dion Bailey has been working with the starters and he might end up being one if there's no resolution to Chancellor's holdout. Third-year free safety Steven Terrell has filled in for Thomas. Rookie cornerback Tye Smith has started both of Seattle's preseason games, first on the outside and then in the slot. DeShawn Shead began camp atop the depth chart at strong safety but started last week at cornerback.

None of that is ideal, of course, but it figures to help develop the depth that has been a big reason why Seattle's secondary has been the NFL's best the last few years. The Seahawks have been able to withstand all sorts of issues with their defensive backs -- be it suspensions, injuries or free agent departures. The reason that group hasn't fallen off is because there's always been a backup ready to step in.

It's not a matter of if some of the backups in Seattle's secondary will have to play at some point, but when. That makes the experience they're getting now especially valuable.

"It's given us a chance to just get to know the young guys more than they would if all of us were playing," Sherman said. "I think some guys get overshadowed in some respects when you have our veterans all going out there: Kam, Earl, myself, Cary. And if we were out there getting the reps that we usually get, then you wouldn't see a lot of these guys getting the same snaps and I think some of them wouldn't get the same opportunities. So I think it's been a blessing in disguise."