5 reported Seahawks roster moves going into Week 3

The Seattle Seahawks have been extremely busy over the last couple of days based on what we’ve read from NFL reporters around the league. While the team hasn’t officially announced any of them yet, there are now at least five moves coming – with heavy speculation about one more to come.

The rumors concern second-year cornerback Riq Woolen, who injured his shoulder in Sunday’s overtime win over the Detroit Lions. While head coach Pete Carroll told reporters a few days ago that Woolen will be “OK”, that’s Pete-Carroll code for likely to miss the next four or five weeks due to a significant injury that requires surgery. Hopefully that’s not the case this time, but we’ll find out one way or another soon.

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Here’s a review of all the reports this week concerning the Seahawks.

1
Signing to active roster: CB Artie Burns

Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

After getting elevated from the practice squad for the first two games of the season, veteran cornerback Artie Burns is officially getting signed to the active roster. Adam Schefter at ESPN had the scoop.

Seahawks are signing cornerback Artie Burns from their practice to their active roster today.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 19, 2023

Burns’ imminent promotion is a big reason why fans are worried that Woolen might be headed to IR. However, we expect Burns to take over for Coby Bryant in the slot.

2
Signing to active roster: TE Brady Russell

Next, Mike Dugar at the Athletic reported this morning that the Seahawks plan to sign tight end Brady Russell off the Eagles practice squad.

The #Seahawks are expected to add TE Brady Russell to their active roster, I'm told. Russell is an undrafted rookie from Colorado. He was on the Eagles' practice squad.

— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) September 20, 2023

Russell (6-foot-3, 255 pounds) played his college ball at Colorado in the dark times before Deion Sanders’ arrival. In five years he appeared in 40 games with the Buffaloes, totaling 78 catches, 799 yards and three touchdowns.

3
Released from practice squad: WR Matt Landers

According to the NFL’s transactions report from Tuesday, Seattle has released a couple of players from their own practice squad. One of them is undrafted rookie wide receiver Matt Landers.

#Seahawks released Matt Landers from practice squad

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 19, 2023

Landers (6-foot-5, 200 pounds) put in time at Georgia, Toledo and Arkansas in college. All together he played 46 games, posting 79 catches, 1,547 yards and 14 touchdowns.

4
Released from practice squad: CB Robert Rochell

The other player that’s been released from the practice squad is former Rams cornerback Robert Rochell. Rochell (6-foot-2, 195 pounds) was a fourth-round draft pick by LA back in 2021 and he played 28 games with them over the last two seasons. He has already landed on his feet, apparently. Aaron Wilson reports he has signed with Carolina’s practice squad.

#Panthers promote Deion Jones to practice squad, signed Jake Luton and Robert Rochell to practice squad, cut Mark Milton

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 20, 2023

5
Released from active roster: OLB Tyreke Smith

The latest report to come in concerns second-year outside linebacker Tyreke Smith, a fifth-round draft pick by the Seahawks last year. According to Ian Rapoport at NFL Network, Smith has been waived.

The #Seahawks are releasing Tyreke Smith, a former fifth-round LB from Ohio State, source said. Smith impressed during the preseason, now heads to waivers.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 20, 2023

Expect the team to announce these plus a few more corresponding moves later today.