Seattle Seahawks veteran wide receiver Laviska Shenault played 20 snaps in Saturday’s last-second preseason Week 2 defeat to the Tennessee Titans. Shenault was the fourth-most snapped wideout on the field, trailing just Jake Bobo (25), Dareke Young (22), and Cody White (22).
Shenault maximized his opportunities. He recorded three receptions on three passing-game targets for 27 yards, finishing as the offense’s third-leading receiver. The dual-threat backfield weapon also rushed once for five yards. Shenault was on the field for several kickoff returns, though he did not return any kicks after returning one for 44 yards versus the San Francisco 49ers in last weekend’s preseason win.
Receiver Dee Williams returned two kicks versus the Titans for 68 yards, including a long of 41 to open the game. Shenault threw a leveling block to help free Williams. Fellow wideout Dareke Young returned Seattle’s lone other kickoff for 27 yards. Indications are that Shenault is still the favorite to open the regular season as the starting kickoff returner.
The Seahawks essentially guaranteed Shenault’s roster spot when they signed him to a one-year contract earlier this summer. General manager John Schneider guaranteed all but $140,000 of his $1,292,500 million salary for this season, according to Over The Cap. Shenault is also their best kickoff returner as special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh attempts to take advantage of the rule changes.
I don't think Laviska Shenault Jr. is on Seattle's roster bubble. All but $140K of his $1,292,500 deal is guaranteed, and he's their best KO returner. But there's a question of where he fits into their WR corps and their passing game, which they may be trying to answer tonight.
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) August 18, 2024
It’ll be interesting to see how Shenault fits into the offense. D.K. Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Tyler Lockett, and Bobo are the clear top four receiving options for starting quarterback Geno Smith.
That likely limits Shenault to rotational snaps and manufactured touches, but the Seahawks have been confident he’d make their 53-man roster ever since they ironed out the details of his contract.
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