RENTON — A most unusual training camp for the Seahawks came to a quiet end Thursday with another practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center, the 17th since Aug. 12, including three mock games.

But with no fans at practices and other COVID-19 restrictions and protocols, there was none of the obvious fanfare that often greets the end of a long training camp.

Thursday, though, did mark a transition as Seahawk players will now take three days off before returning Monday to begin gameweek preparations for the regular-season opener Sept. 13 at Atlanta.

With no preseason games, it’s a bit of a mystery what exactly was learned in camp, as coach Pete Carroll acknowledged Thursday when he spoke to reporters via Zoom.

“We haven’t had enough competition at this time of the year to really make the evaluations the way we’d like to,” Carroll said. “We’d like to have all those game snaps, and we’ve told you many times you’ve got to wait to see guys in games and we weren’t afforded that in the evaluation process. So that’s the only setback. Other than that it’s been a really solid camp.”

At the top of Carroll’s list of the positives from camp is the relative lack of significant injuries. One harrowing exception: a neck/head injury to defensive end Branden Jackson that further revealed a spinal condition that could end his career.

With camp over, it’s time to hand out a few awards:

Biggest surprise, veteran edition: Ethan Pocic

The fourth-year offensive lineman appears to have won the starting center job over free agent signee B.J. Finney, though Carroll said Thursday he wasn’t ready to confirm anything public. The converse to that is that Finney could be described as the biggest disappointment, failing to win a starting job after signing a two-year deal worth up to $8 million with $4.5 million guaranteed.

Biggest surprise, rookie edition: Alton Robinson

With Darrell Taylor so far unable to practice — which would qualify as the biggest disappointment for a rookie — fifth-round pick Robinson has emerged as a player who should be a factor in the rotations at both defensive end spots, with the specific hope he can contribute at the rush end position and help revive the pass rush.

Biggest question mark remaining: Do the Seahawks really have enough pass rush?

Despite the emergence of Robinson and the solid play of veterans Bruce Irvin and Benson Mayowa, the pass rush remains the biggest unknown. Don’t expect the Seahawks to end up with Jadeveon Clowney, who on Saturday was reportedly expected to sign a deal with the Tennessee Titans. But it won’t be a surprise if they add another defensive lineman during the weekend.

Second-biggest question mark: What will be the composition of the receiving corps?

Seattle knows what it has in Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf, but a lot of the rest of the WR corps remains a mystery, especially after the signing this week of Josh Gordon. Carroll noted Thursday Richardson did little in three practices this week, and the Seahawks ultimately did not include him on the 53-man roster announced Saturday. Gordon’s status in terms of his suspension remains unclear. And Phillip Dorsett is dealing with a sore foot and didn’t do much the last two weeks of camp, but he did make the roster.

Biggest question answered: Marquise Blair can play nickel

Blair was one of the standout players in camp, quickly showing coaches he could make the transition from safety to nickel. Seattle had no clear nickel heading into the 2019 season, one reason it played so much base defense. But with Blair as the main guy there now, and former Oregon Ducks standout Ugo Amadi a year older and also able to play it if needed, the Seahawks seem far better positioned to play nickel and dime defenses this season.

Newcomers who shined: Jamal Adams and Brandon Shell

Adams may be a really obvious pick. But so far he appears to be everything Seattle hoped for when it made a heavy investment to get him, both in his play on the field and his quick forming of relationships with teammates and others in the organization

Shell, meanwhile, signed a two-year deal with $5.1 million guaranteed in the spring with the hope he’d take over the right tackle spot for the departed Germain Ifedi. But as the Pocic/Finney battle showed, Shell was still going to have to earn it over the likes of free agent signee Cedric Ogbuehi and holdover Jamarco Jones. Shell has, running with the starters from day one and impressing the Seahawks with his athleticism.

Biggest sigh of relief: The health of Chris Carson and the running back spot in general

The team was confident all along Carson would be fine after fracturing his hip last December. Still, it’s always good to see it on the field, especially with Rashaad Penny not yet ready to return from his knee injury. Carlos Hyde also performed well as did Travis Homer and rookie DeeJay Dallas, giving the Seahawks a full complement of healthy and ready-to-go backs for the season opener.

The Seattle Seahawks have waived linebacker Shaquem Griffin, according to a report Saturday morning.

A fifth-round pick (No. 141) in the 2018 NFL draft, Griffin overcame physical challenges most players don’t have to make it to the NFL. He had his left hand amputated at age 4 because of amniotic band syndrome, a congenital condition.

Griffin started out as a defensive back with the Seahawks during his rookie season, but he was moved to outside linebacker last year, where he helped the Seahawks’ weak pass rush.

Griffin was Bruce Irvin’s backup at the strong-side linebacker position during training camp this year.

Following his release, Griffin is available to any team and could sign with another team. If he clears waivers, he could end up back on the practice squad in Seattle.

Shaquem’s twin brother, Seahawks’ cornerback Shaquill Griffin, remains on the team.

— The Oregonian