The Seattle Seahawks made several roster changes ahead of their Week 6 game against the San Francisco 49ers. Notably, they placed starting pass rusher Uchenna Nwosu on Injured Reserve, a significant setback for a defense already dealing with injuries.
In addition, the Seahawks signed former Arizona Cardinals safety Zeke Turner to their practice squad. Turner is primarily recognized for his special teams contributions, having played in 81 games over the past seven seasons. He was with the Houston Texans this season before being released on October 1, 2024, and joined the Seahawks a week later. To accommodate Turner, Seattle released rookie linebacker Devin Richardson.
This signing is somewhat of a homecoming for Turner, who played college football for the Washington Huskies. He brings experience as both a linebacker and a safety.
Nwosu’s placement on IR means he will miss at least four games, which is particularly concerning given his three-year, $45 million contract with the Seahawks that extends through 2026. Injuries have plagued Nwosu, as he only appeared in six games during the 2023 season. Additionally, the Seahawks made further roster moves just hours before facing the Niners, signing cornerback Artie Burns from the practice squad and releasing guard McClendon Curtis, while activating defensive tackle Cameron Young from the PUP list.
Several players were inactive for the game against the Niners, including cornerback Riq Woolen, defensive tackle Byron Murphy II, linebacker Trevis Gipson, center Olu Oluwatimi, guard Sataoa Laumea, receiver Dareke Young, and defensive end Myles Adams. However, veterans like pass rusher Leonard Williams and safety Julian Love were active for the matchup.
Despite the injuries and roster adjustments, head coach Mike Macdonald emphasized the need to increase touches for star running back Ken Walker. This sentiment was echoed by offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. “We need to give K-9 (Walker) the ball more,” Macdonald stated on Seattle Sports’ “Brock and Salk” during his weekly radio show. He acknowledged the importance of integrating Walker into the game plan more effectively.
As the Seahawks entered their rivalry game against San Francisco as 3.5-point underdogs, the impact of these roster moves on the outcome will be closely watched. Macdonald made it clear that there are no excuses for the team, despite the injuries and the quick turnaround from Sunday to Thursday.