Seahawks cuts to the 53 man roster has some surprises
The Seahawks made some surprising moves to get down to 53 men. Before we look at who kept their jerseys, let’s see who turned them in.
I wrote earlier that I expected the Seahawks would have some surprises when they trimmed the roster to 53 today. I’m not happy about anyone getting cut, but four out of six (yes, I cheated and listed six) is pretty decent. And yes, I’m counting Byron Maxwell. He was placed on injured reserve, I know, but he didn’t make the roster. So who else saw the Turk today?
One surprise to me is quarterback Austin Davis. I’m not surprised that he didn’t make the roster. As soon as the ink was dry on Brett Hundley‘s contract, both Davis and Alex McGough were headed for the door. What surprised me is that Davis was placed on the injured reserve list. We already know Maxwell was on IR, but I hadn’t heard a whisper about Davis.
Two more players going to the injured reserve list are Jamarco Jones and Erik Walden. Jones was a candidate for the list all along, unfortunately. Walden looked sharp against the Vikings in the third preseason game, but went down with an injury soon after. The activation of edge rusher Dion Jordan – a surprise in itself – made Walden expendable.
Expected starters and late bloomers alike got the axe
More from 12th Man Rising
- 4 prospects Seahawks could reach for at No. 20 in 2023 NFL Draft
- Seattle Seahawks Mock Draft: Post-first wave of free agency
- Seahawks podcast: A review of the first week of free agency
- 4 experiments the Seattle Seahawks could cut short in 2023
- 3 pros and cons of Seattle Seahawks drafting Anthony Richardson
The defense saw a couple more changes as well. Strong safety Maurice Alexander was cut. Maybe you’re not surprised at that news, but the Seahawks even had Alexander step up to play at linebacker for some plays in shades of Kam Chancellor.
That wasn’t enough, as they held onto Delano Hill instead. Obviously the trade for former Raider Shalom Luani was the move that squeezed Alexander out.
Two other notable names that didn’t make the roster are wide receivers Keenan Reynolds and Amara Darboh. Darboh simply couldn’t get on the field this preseason, so I expected his departure. Still, seeing a third round pick get the door after one season is surprising.
Reynolds got some reps with the first unit toward the end of preseason, but that didn’t save him. I expect he’ll clear waivers and make the practice squad. Defensive backs Akeem King and Mike Tyson both got torched by the Raiders, so their exits aren’t entirely unexpected.
For the full roster of those no longer on the roster, it’s all here. Cut day isn’t a happy day by any means. Many of these players will find their way to other teams. Some will likely be right back with the Seahawks, albeit on the practice squad. Hopefully each of them find a way to continue their dreams, whether they were fighting for their first spot ever or trying to get just one more year on the field.