RENTON, Wash. - Russell Wilson, Jimmy Graham and Cliff Avril were absent for personal reasons. Michael Bennett and Bruce Irvin were just absent.

And Marshawn Lynch? Well, no one expected him around anyway, since this is the way the Seattle Seahawks' star running back handles voluntary off-season workouts.

The Seahawks began on-field organized team activities Tuesday with a number of their biggest stars missing, although coach Pete Carroll wasn't concerned by any of the absences.

Avril and Graham were both dealing with personal losses. Avril posted on Instagram about the death of his father, while Graham was attending the funeral of his manager in Miami. Graham was joined by Wilson and Seahawks executive Mo Kelly at the funeral and Carroll said Wilson may try to attend the funeral for Avril's father later in the week.

"Just show support as well and just do the best we can," Carroll said. "We know that there's really nothing we can do but we're trying to show the love and see if we can help out in any way."

But the absences of Bennett and Irvin seemed to be more related to their status with the club. Bennett at various times during the off-season has expressed dissatisfaction with his contract — a $28 million, four-year deal signed after Seattle won its first Super Bowl.

Meanwhile, Irvin has expressed his displeasure on social media about the Seahawks choosing not to pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. Irvin will now become a free agent after the 2015 season if an extension isn't reached.

Carroll simply noted that the workouts were voluntary, while new defensive co-ordinator Kris Richard said there would be no ill-will toward the pair when they return.

"We know those guys are out there and working their tails off. There is no doubt about it. Our focus is on the guys that are here, but when they come back, it's all love. They know that. They're out there, they're handling their business. We trust that fact. They're going to trust the fact we're working and handling business here and we would love to have them. When they get back, we're rolling."

Tuesday was also the first time for the Seahawks on the field with Richard as defensive co-ordinator. Richard was promoted from defensive backs coach after Dan Quinn left in the off-season to take the head job in Atlanta.

Richard said it was different having the chance to roam around the defence and not be focused just solely on the secondary.

"Again, if it's not broke, don't fix it. I'm going to keep going to the old adage there. We're going to look to put our guys in the best possible place for them to be in order for them to be successful," Richard said. "What we've done around here, we've been pretty successful, so we're going to keep the ball rolling."

NOTES: FS Earl Thomas (shoulder surgery) is expected to be ready for training camp, Carroll said. With Thomas out, DeShawn Shead worked as the starter at free safety. ... CB Jeremy Lane, who suffered a broken arm and torn ACL in the Super Bowl, had another issue come up with his arm and his recovery will take longer, Carroll said. ... DT Jesse Williams, diagnosed with kidney cancer recently, will undergo surgery on Thursday.

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