The Seattle Seahawks were down to their fourth-string right tackle last weekend. Rookie sixth-round pick Mike Jerrell, who played collegiately at D-III program Findlay, put forth an outstanding performance against the Atlanta Falcons in the Week 7 blowout victory.
Pro Football Focus credited Jerrell with allowing four pressures. Seahawks starting quarterback Geno Smith was sacked just once, and Jerrell wasn’t to blame. The rookie performer has now given the Seahawks something to think about heading into Sunday’s Week 8 showdown versus the Buffalo Bills.
Right tackle George Fant is eligible to be activated off IR. The veteran blocker recently returned to practice, which was timely for the Seahawks because previous fill-in starter Stone Forsythe recently landed on IR with an injury of his own. Though he’s yet to be officially activated, indications are Fant could be cleared to play on Sunday.
#Seahawks waive reserve safety and special-teams player Ty Okada.
This is presumably to clear roster space for now-practicing OT George Fant to come off injured reserve, likely, it now appears, for Fant to be active to play in their game Sunday against Buffalo.
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) October 24, 2024
And the Seahawks recently, and conveniently, cleared a spot on their 53-man roster by releasing safety Ty Okada. That vacated spot will be filled prior to Sunday’s game versus Buffalo. It could be reserved for Fant’s activation. Another option is Jarrick Reed II, who has been practicing in preparation of being activated as well.
Fant’s return to practice wasn’t the only positive development at right tackle. Intended starter Abe Lucas has also begun practicing after missing the entire season to date on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Seattle’s offensive line is getting healthy.
Mike Macdonald and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb have a difficult decision to make. Fant is the veteran blocker they envisioned starting in place of Lucas while he healed, but Jerrell also played quality football in his first career start. Ultimately, it’s a good problem to have such offensive line depth.
