Seattle Seahawks waive Phil Bates, sign big fullback Will Tukuafu
The Seattle Seahawks made a few roster moves this week, deciding to waive two players while adding two more to their full-time roster.
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Wide receiver Phil Bates and tight end Brett Brackett were waived by Seattle while fullback Will Tukuafu was signed and linebacker L.J. Fort was promoted from the practice squad.
Bates had been unproductive this season, playing in only one game buried on the depth chart behind a number of other talented receivers.
Tukuafu was signed to replace Derrick Coleman, who will miss the rest of the season with a broken bone in his foot.
Tukuafu is a huge addition at fullback, with the size of a lineman, and his presence could help improve the protection of Russell Wilson while creating bigger holes for Marshawn Lynch to run through.
Tukuafu weighs 280 pounds, which is only about 35 pounds less than the average Seahawks offensive lineman. Coleman only weighs 229 pounds.
According to Pro Football Talk, Tukuafu could also be used on the other side of the ball at some point this year:
"[Pete] Carroll said that Tukuafu could also see time on the defensive line, which is where he played in college and at points during his tenure with the 49ers."
Tukuafu is expected to play Sunday against the Oakland Raiders.
Accrording to the Seahawks official website, he has been in the league for a few years and has just been waiting for a shot to play:
"Tukuafu spent the past three seasons with the NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers, but was released from injured reserve with an injury settlement on Sept. 8. Since then, he has been in Eugene, where played for the University of Oregon, working out and waiting for the phone to ring."
Seattle is big on giving small-time players big chances.
Let’s see what he can bring to the 4-3 Seahawks this year.