Seahawks bring back Will Tukuafu (again)

The Seattle Seahawks re-signed popular fullback Will Tukuafu for the third time this year. They also added a bad quarterback and cut a veteran running back.

Will Tukuafu was the starting FB for the Seattle Seahawks for most of the last two seasons. The former defensive lineman is an intimidating blocker, but his lack of speed makes him a poor fit as a lead blocker for a speedster like Christine Michael.

Seattle tried to replace Tukuafu in the offseason by committing to Brandon Cottom, only to see Cottom tear his Achilles in training camp. After auditioning a bunch of defensive tackles and linebackers at FB, the Seahawks conceded their search and brought Tukuafu back.

In an effort to avoid having his contract become guaranteed, the Seahawks cut Tukuafu after the preseason, and then brought him back a week later for week 2. He lasted on the roster only 1 week before being cut again.

Since then, the Seahawks have mostly used TE Luke Willson as the team’s FB, with mixed results. That plan ended in Seattle’s win over Atlanta when Willson hurt his knee and needed surgery.

Since then the Seahawks have used backup center Joey Hunt at FB. This is mostly because they simply just haven’t used lead blocker. Of course, they didn’t run many plays on Sunday vs Arizona, so we don’t necessarily have a solid idea of what the plan was supposed to be.

To make room for Tukuafu, the Seahawks cut veteran running back CJ Spiller. Spiller was a healthy inactive on Sunday, as the team elected to play rookie CJ Procise instead of playing Spiller. Spiller was then the odd man out for a team with 5 RBs.

The other roster move made by the Seahawks today was to sign QB Joel Stave to the practice squad. Stave spent training camp with the Minnesota Vikings.

Stave was one of the least-accurate QBs you’ll ever see during his short time in Minnesota. Try not to get exciting over this one, there is almost no chance that he ever makes it onto Seattle’s 53 man roster.

Next: Seahawks plummet in NFL Power Index

In an odd piece of roster trivia, the Seahawks now have the last 3 starting QBs for the Wisconsin Badgers under contract: Russell Wilson, Tanner McEvoy, and Joel Stave.