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Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Kevin writes via Facebook: Mike, I'm thinking Walter Jones' latest setback with his back injury might mean he starts the season on the PUP list. That would probably be best for him, but difficult on the Seahawks. Do you see this as a possibility, and if so, do you think they may look to pick up another O-line player?

Mike Sando: This offers a good opportunity to explain how the NFL's physically unable to perform (PUP) designation works. Players become ineligible for the PUP list once they pass their training camp physical examinations. In other words, any player eligible to practice during camp cannot land on the PUP list for that season. That is why you see teams adding players to the PUP list as camps get going, but not once those camps are in progress.

Players on the PUP list entering the regular season are eligible to return only after their teams' first six games. Once the players begin practicing, their teams have three weeks to place them on the active roster, at which point those players count against 53-man limits. Players who do not return within that three-week window become ineligible to play for the remainder of the season.

The NFL's collective bargaining agreement with players offers this additional information about PUP:

Any player placed on a Physically Unable to Perform list ("PUP") will be paid his full salary while on such list. His contract will not be tolled for the period he is on PUP except in the last year of his contract, when the player's contract will be tolled if he is still physically unable to perform his football services as of the sixth regular season game.

As for the Seahawks' contingency plans for Walter Jones, yes, I do think they might need to consider signing a veteran tackle. Levi Jones was a candidate several months ago. He remains available and could make sense for Seattle. Ray Willis and Sean Locklear are the only other starting-caliber offensive tackles on the Seahawks' roster.