The Seattle Seahawks have released the official list of roster cuts to get to 53 on the active roster. Several undrafted free agents made the cut including wide receiver Doug Baldwin and safety Jeron Johnson. Here’s how the Seahawks roster cuts line up including PUP and IR.
Physically unable to perform: Deon Butler (wide receiver), Roy Lewis (cornerback) and Cameron Morrah (tight end). Butler is still coming back from a broken leg suffered back on December 12, 2010 against San Francisco. All three are eligible to return after week six.
Injured reserve: John Carlson (tight end), Isiah Stanback (hamstring) and Jimmy Wilkerson (knee). Carlson injured his shoulder during Seattle’s week one preseason game in San Diego and later it was diagnosed as a torn labrum. Wilkerson’s injury is more recent and could setback an improved pass rush. Seattle signed Wilkerson on August 2nd to a one-year $1.5 million dollar contract.
That brings the Seahawks active roster to 74. Seattle released 20 players to bring the roster to 54 and waived defensive end Pierre Allen.
Runningback’s Thomas Clayton and Vai Taua, fullback Dorson Boyce, wide receivers Cris Carter, Patrick Williams, Ricardo Lockette and Owen Spencer, tackle William Robinson, guards Mike Gibson and Paul Fanaika, defensive ends David Howard, A.J. Schable, Jameson Konz and Maurice Fountain, defensive tackle Colin Cole, linebackers Mike Morgan, Michael Johnson, cornerback Kennard Cox and safeties Mark LeGree and Josh Pinkard have all been released by the Seattle Seahawks to make the 53 man roster.
Reports are that Seattle will bring back safety Josh Pinkard through the practice squad. The only surprise on the list is defensive tackle Colin Cole. Cole, 31, could be considered a cap casualty which mean he could be re-signed at a lower base salary. He was on the books to make $3.75 million in base salary this season after coming off an ankle injury.
With the emergence of free agent Alan Branch and Brandon Mebane re-signing Cole was deemed expandable by Pete Carroll and John Schneider.
Now that Seattle, along with all other 31 teams in the league, have made the mandatory cuts to get their rosters to 53 expect a flurry of movement with cut players signing with other teams and younger players being picked up on waivers. By no means are these rosters final.
Seattle had some tough decisions to make and with an glance over they made the right moves. Undrafted rookies Doug Baldwin (wide receiver) and Jeron Johnson (safety) made the team after impressing in preseason. Golden Tate earned his roster spot against Oakland with and outstanding performance and could have an important role in the offense while Butler is out.
With Jimmy Wilkerson on injured reserve expect the Seahawks to be active searching for his replacement to regain the depth lost.
The next question Pete Carroll will need to solve is his starting quarterback. Charlie Whitehurst outplayed Tarvaris Jackson but still remains the No.2 quarterback. If Jackson struggles early in the season Whitehurst could become the starter.
You can follow Lars on Twitter http://twitter.com/larshanson
Buy Seattle Seahawks Apparel
