Robert Turbin and Will Blackmon were among the casualties Saturday as the Seattle Seahawks worked toward finalizing their roster for the start of the regular season.
Saturday was the deadline for NFL teams to trim their rosters to 53-players. Among the moves made by the Seahawks was placing Turbin, the team’s second-string running back the past three seasons, on season-ending injury reserve, as well as waiving Blackmon, who was signed as a free agent during the offseason to provide depth at cornerback.
The Seahawks also picked up a new player Saturday, acquiring safety Kelcie McCray from the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for an undisclosed draft pick which is believed to be a fifth rounder. McCray, who measures in at 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, is in his fourth season. Originally an undrafted free agent out of Arkansas State, McCray appeared in all 16 games for the Chiefs last season, though he has never started an NFL game. He helps provide safety depth while starter Kam Chancellor continues his holdout.
Turbin, a fourth-round pick in the 2012 draft, was Marshawn Lynch’s primary backup the past three seasons. He appeared slated to serve the same role this season. However, Turbin suffered a sprained ankle in Seattle’s preseason game at San Diego last Saturday and reportedly will be unavailable for about five weeks. The Seahawks also need to clear room for the impending signing of running back Fred Jackson, an eight-year veteran who was released by the Buffalo Bills on Monday. By being placed on injured reserve Turbin is ineligible to play this season.
Blackmon, an eight-year veteran who spent the past two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, was signed during the offseason to help provide cover at cornerback following the free-agent departure of Byron Maxwell and the injury to Jeremy Lane. Blackmon had been serving as Seattle’s nickel back during the preseason.
Other notable names on Saturday’s cut list included former University of Washington receivers Kevin Smith and Kasen Williams. Smith and Williams, trying to catch on as first-year free agents, both impressed throughout training camp and the preseason, with Smith showing promise as a returner and Williams making a number of good catches.
Three picks from this year’s draft — tackle Terry Poole (fourth round), defensive end Obum Gwacham (sixth round) and safety Ryan Murphy (seventh round) — were also waived.
Also among Saturday’s moves was the placement of defensive tackle Jesse Williams on the reserve/non-football illness list. Williams, a fifth-round pick in 2013, was the feel-good story of Seattle’s training camp as he was attempting to come back just three months after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous kidney. He will be ineligible to practice or play for the team until after Week 6.
One of the few surprises to make the team was running back Thomas Rawls. The undrafted free agent out of Central Michigan had a strong preseason, culminating in an 11-carry, 87-yard performance in Seattle’s preseason finale Thursday against Oakland. Whether Rawls makes it to opening day is still in question as the Seahawks would have to open up a roster spot in order to sign Jackson.
Seattle has three players who are still on the roster, but don’t count toward the 53. Chancellor remains exempt during his holdout, while receiver Paul Richardson and cornerback Jeremy Lane are on the physically-unable-to-perform list and are out until at least after Week 6.
Some of the players cut Saturday will remain with the team. Seattle will put together its 10-player practice squad Sunday. Players who are not classified as veterans, and who do not get signed to the 53-man rosters of any other NFL teams, are eligible to be added to the practice squad.
Seattle opens the regular season next Sunday at St. Louis.
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