Seahawks Get Down To 53 Players
The Seahawks have made their roster cuts. Perhaps most notably, they cut quarterback Geno Smith. Since they already waived Paxton Lynch last night and also waived J.T. Barrett, they currently have no passers on the roster behind Russell Wilson. It’s possible the team is just maneuvering the roster and planning on re-signing Smith. If not, they’ll be adding a veteran in the coming days.
The Seahawks had a crowded running backs room, and J.D. McKissic and Bo Scarbrough ended up as the odd-men out. A lot of people were expecting Jaron Brown to start the year as the team’s number two receiver while D.K. Metcalf recovers from his knee injury, but he didn’t even end up making the initial 53. Brown was set to make $2.75MM, so maybe he’ll be brought back after the regular season starts when his contract won’t be guaranteed.
Released:
FB Nick Bellore
WR Jaron Brown
DT Jamie Meder
QB Geno Smith
CB Jamar Taylor
Waived:
QB J.T. Barrett
WR Kahlil Lewis
TE Wes Saxton
RB Bo Scarbrough
DE Logan Tago
CB Simeon Thomas
RB Xavier Turner
WR Terry Wright
LB Juwon Young
Waived/injured:
PUP:
Injured reserve:
Seahawks OT George Fant Signs RFA Tender
Seahawks offensive tackle George Fant has signed his second-round restricted free agent tender, while defensive end Quinton Jefferson has signed his original round RFA tender, according to the NFL’s transaction wire.
A collegiate basketball player with only one year of NCAA football experience (which came as a tight end), Fant went undrafted in 2016 but still managed to start 10 games during his rookie campaign in Seattle. A torn ACL cost Fant the 2017 season, but he rebounded to appear in all 16 games and play 35% of the Seahawks’ offensive snaps in 2018.
Fant, who will now collect a $3.095MM base salary next year, graded out well in 2018, with Pro Football Focus ranking him as the No. 26 offensive tackle among 80 qualifiers. While he won’t be locked in as a starter heading into next season, Fant could compete with former fist-round pick Germain Ifedi for playing time at right tackle.
In addition to Fant and Jefferson, the Seahawks have also re-signed the following exclusive rights free agents:
- LB Austin Calitro
- LB Emmanuel Ellerbee
- C Joey Hunt
- DE Branden Jackson
- S Shalom Luani
- RB J.D. McKissic
- WR David Moore
- LS Tyler Ott
- CB Kalan Reed
- G Jordan Simmons
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/13/19
Here is the latest news involving restricted free agents and exclusive-rights free agents, with updates coming throughout the day:
ERFA
Tendered:
- Bears: DE Roy Robertson-Harris, LB Isaiah Irving, OL Rashaad Coward
- Seahawks: LB Austin Calitro, LB Emmanuel Ellerbee, C Joey Hunt, RB J.D. McKissic, CB Kalan Reed
Non-tendered:
- Bears: S DeAndre Houston-Carson (via Howard Balzer on Twitter)
- Bengals: QB Brad Kaaya (via Balzer)
- Cardinals: LB Gabe Martin, DE Zach Moore, C Daniel Munyer (via Balzer)
- Chiefs: TE Alex Ellis (via Balzer)
- Colts: S Ronald Martin (via Balzer)
- Falcons: WR Marvin Hall (via Balzer)
- Giants: DT Kristjan Sokoli (via Balzer)
- Patriots: WR Cody Hollister (Twitter link via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com)
- Raiders: CB Tevin Mitchel (via Balzer)
- Rams: LB Garrett Sickels (via Balzer)
- Ravens: OT Steven Moore (via Balzer)
- Saints: DB Rickey Jefferson (per NOLA.com’s Josh Katzenstein, on Twitter)
- Seahawks: DE Ricky Ali’ifua, DB T.J. Green, RB Tre Madden, DB T.J. Mutcherson
- Steelers: T Joseph Cheek, S Malik Golden, LB Keith Kelsey, TE Jake McGee (via Balzer)
- Vikings: OT Cedrick Lang, TE Josiah Price (via Balzer)
RFA
Tendered at second-round level:
- Seahawks: T George Fant (per Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times, on Twitter)
Tendered at original-round level:
- Chiefs: S Jordan Lucas
- Saints: CB Ken Crawley (Twitter link via Nick Underhill of The New Orleans Advocate)
- Seahawks: DL Quinton Jefferson (via Tom Pelissero of NFL.com, on Twitter)
Non-tendered:
- Bears: LS Patrick Scales (via Balzer)
- Bengals: TE Matt Lengel (via Balzer)
- Bills: TE Logan Thomas (via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com, on Twitter)
- Broncos: QB Kevin Hogan, LB Deiontrez Mount, WR Jordan Taylor (via Balzer)
- Browns: CB Juston Burris, TE Orson Charles (via Balzer)
- Buccaneers: TE Alan Cross, CB Javien Elliott, T Leonard Wester (via Balzer)
- Cardinals: LB Jeremy Cash, OT John Wetzel (via Balzer)
- Chiefs: LB Terrance Smith (via Balzer)
- Dolphins: WR Leonte Carroo (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald)
- 49ers: S Tyvis Powell (via Balzer)
- Jaguars: OG Chris Reed (via Balzer)
- Jets: DT Destiny Vaeao (via Balzer)
- Panthers: WR Damiere Byrd (via Balzer)
- Raiders: DE Shilique Calhoun (via Balzer)
- Redskins: WR Maurice Harris (per Mike Garafolo of NFL.com, on Twitter), RB Rob Kelley (via Balzer)
- Saints: WR Tommylee Lewis (via Josh Katzenstein of NOLA.com, on Twitter)
Seahawks Activate RB J.D. McKissic
The Seahawks have officially activated running back J.D. McKissic to the 53-man roster. McKissic will return to action after missing the first 12 weeks of the season with a foot injury. 
McKissic was designated for return last week and it didn’t take long for him to prove his health. The 25-year-old will look to build off of a breakout season in which he compiled 187 rushing yards and one touchdown on 46 carries. He also added another 34 receptions for 266 yards and two scores. The former undrafted free agent out of Arkansas State also offers special teams and kick-return experience.
The tailback could see the field on Sunday when the Seahawks host the 49ers. It’s a pivotal game for Seattle as they look to capture a Wild Card spot in the NFC.
McKissic figures to step in for C.J. Prosise, who has not been involved in the offense as of late. Chris Carson, Mike Davis, and Rashaad Penny are also on hand for Seattle.
Seahawks’ McKissic Designated For Return
As expected, J.D. McKissic will soon be returning to the field. ESPN’s Brady Henderson reports (via Twitter) that the Seahawks have designated the running back to return from the injured reserve.
We heard last week that the running back would soon be returning to practice, and there was an expectation that he’d be activated once he was ready to go. His return starts a three-week window for him to practice with the team. For now, he does not count against the 53-man roster, but he must be activated in the next 21 days in order for him to play this season.
McKissic has spent the entire season on the injured reserve as he’s dealt with a Jones fracture in his foot. The 25-year-old had a breakout season in 2017, compiling 187 rushing yards and one touchdown on 46 carries. He also added another 34 receptions for 266 yards and two scores. The former undrafted free agent out of Arkansas State also has some special teams and kick-return experience during his brief career.
When McKissic does end up being activated from the injured reserve, he could end up taking C.J. Prosise‘s roster spot. Prosise appeared in five games earlier this season, but he’s been inactive for four of the past six games. Whether the Seahawks roll with McKissic or Prosise, the player will likely be listed behind Chris Carson, Mike Davis, and Rashaad Penny on the depth chart.
Seahawks RB J.D. McKissic To Return Next Week
The Seahawks will soon have some tough decisions to make at the running back position. Head coach Pete Carroll told reporters that J.D. McKissic will return to the field next week (via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times on Twitter).
The running back will at least be returning to practice, but there’s some optimism that he could even see the field for the Seahawks’ matchup against the Panthers on November 25th.
McKissic has spent the entire season on the injured reserve as he’s dealt with a Jones fracture in his foot. The 25-year-old had a breakout season in 2017, compiling 187 rushing yards and one touchdown on 46 carries. He also added another 34 receptions for 266 yards and two scores. The former undrafted free agent out of Arkansas State also has some special teams and kick-return experience during his brief career.
If McKissic does end up being activated from the injured reserve, he could end up taking C.J. Prosise‘s roster spot. Prosise appeared in five games earlier this season, but he’s been inactive for four of the past six games. Whether the Seahawks roll with McKissic or Prosise, the player will likely be listed behind Chris Carson, Mike Davis, and Rashaad Penny on the depth chart.
Seahawks To Place RB J.D. McKissic On IR
The Seahawks carried J.D. McKissic through to their 53-man roster, but he will not be available for at least eight weeks now.
McKissic will head to IR, Field Yates of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). Former Browns linebacker Jermaine Grace, whom the Seahawks claimed off waivers, will take McKissic’s roster spot, per Yates.
A third-year running back, McKissic is dealing with a Jones fracture in his foot. He was not slated to be ready for Week 1 and will now have plenty of time to heal up. It’s not certain Seattle will bring him off IR when he’s healthy, however. The Seahawks only have two IR-return slots, and whether McKissic is brought back for second-half action this season will depend on how the team fares with injuries during the first half.
Seattle may also be without Rashaad Penny in Week 1. Chris Carson, C.J. Prosise and Mike Davis represent the Seahawks’ current healthy running backs. They carried five through to their 53-man unit, presumably knowing McKissic was IR-bound. Had the Seahawks placed their agile backup on IR before Saturday’s cutdown day, he would have had to miss the entire season.
A former UDFA, McKissic saw action in 13 games last season in a complex campaign for Seahawks running backs.
The Browns waived Grace on Sunday to make room for one of the five new players they added via post-cutdown waivers. A 2017 UDFA who saw scant action as a rookie with the Falcons and Colts last year, Grace will join a Seahawks linebacking corps that will likely be without K.J. Wright in Week 1.
Seahawks RB J.D. McKissic To Miss Time
Seahawks running back J.D. McKissic will miss four-to-six weeks after suffering a Jones’ fracture in his foot, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
Seattle is already down one running back, as rookie first-round pick Rashaad Penny underwent surgery last week for a broken finger. He’s now expected to miss three-to-four weeks, leaving the Seahawks with Chris Carson, C.J. Prosise, Mike Davis, Gerald Holmes, and Justin Stockton as healthy backs.
McKissic, 25, appeared in 13 games and made one start for the Seahawks in 2017. He managed 4.1 yards per carry on 187 attempts, and was effective in the passing game, where he posted 34 receptions. An exclusive rights free agent this offseason, McKissic signed a one-year tender worth the league minimum.
Due to his recovery timeline, McKissic is a candidate to return from injured reserve. However, that scenario would entail Seattle keeping McKissic on its roster until final cutdowns, as any IR/return player must be carried through to his team’s respective initial 53-man roster.
If the Seahawks opt to look for a free agent running back to account for recent depletions, they could look at option such as Orleans Darkwa, Andre Williams, or Lance Dunbar, or perhaps attempt to convince DeMarco Murray — who worked out for Seattle earlier this year — to come out of retirement.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/15/18
Today’s minor moves:
Los Angeles Chargers
- Waived: K Nick Rose
Seattle Seahawks
- Re-signed: RB J.D. McKissic (ERFA)
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/14/18
Here are today’s restricted free agent and exclusive-rights free agent tender decisions, with the list being updated throughout the day. All links go to Twitter unless otherwise noted:
RFAs
Tendered at the second-round level ($2.914MM):
- Cowboys DE David Irving (story)
- Giants: C Brett Jones (story via Ralph Vacchiano of SNY)
- Jets: Quincy Enunwa (story)
Tendered at original round level ($1.907MM):
- Browns: DT Jamie Meder
- Chiefs: DE Rakeem Nunez-Roches (via Adam Caplan of SiriusXM)
- Jets: OL Brent Qvale, TE Neal Sterling
- Lions: WR T.J. Jones (via Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com)
- Rams: OLB Matt Longacre (via Rapoport)
- Seahawks: DE Dion Jordan (story)
- Texans: C Greg Mancz
Non-tendered:
- Buccaneers: DE Ryan Russell (via Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times)
- Chargers: LB Josh Keyes
- Chiefs: LB Ramik Wilson (via Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star)
- Dolphins: OL Anthony Steen
- Falcons: RB Terron Ward (via D. Orlando Ledbetter)
- Jaguars: S Peyton Thompson, RB Tyler Gaffney
- Jets: DL Xavier Cooper
- Lions: RB Zach Zenner, DE Brandon Copeland, DL Zac Kerin
- Packers: LB Joe Thomas (via Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
- Panthers: WR Kaelin Clay, CB Ladarius Gunter, TE Scott Simonson, OL David Yankey (via David Newton of ESPN.com)
- Rams: LB Cameron Lynch, T Darrell Williams
- Saints: WR Brandon Coleman, DT David Parry
- Seahawks: RB Thomas Rawls, RB Mike Davis (via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times)
- Steelers: WR Eli Rogers (story via Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
- Texans: LB Brian Peters, DE Angelo Blackson, LB Ben Heeney
- Titans: S Curtis Riley (via Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com), RB Bishop Sankey (via Chris Tomasson)
ERFAs
Tendered:
- Browns: QB Kevin Hogan
- Colts: TE Erik Swoope, G Jeremy Vujnovich, CB Christopher Milton, LS Luke Rhodes
- Dolphins: C Jake Brendel, LB Mike Hull, CB Jordan Lucas
- Giants: DT Robert Thomas (via Vacchiano)
- Jets: S Doug Middleton FB Lawrence Thomas TE Eric Tomlinson
- Lions: QB Jake Rudock, DT Christian Ringo
- Packers: WR Geronimo Allison (via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com)
- Rams: K Sam Ficken (via Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com)
- Raiders: LB/DE James Cowser, S Erik Harris, G/T Denver Kirkland
- Ravens: LB Patrick Onwuasor, WR Quincy Adeboyejo, OL Matt Skura, OL Maurquice Shakir
- Seahawks: RB J.D. McKissic, DE Quinton Jefferson, DE Branden Jackson (via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times)
Non-tendered:
- Chiefs: DB Keith Baxter (via Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star)
- Giants: TE Ryan O’Malley, LB Curtis Grant (via Ryan Dunleavy of NJ.com)
- Lions: DT Rodney Coe, P Kasey Redfern (via Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com)
- Packers: CB Herb Waters, LS Taybor Pepper (via Silverstein)
- Saints: C Jack Allen