Seahawks news: Maxwell placed on IR, Johnson traded and more

While waiting for the Seahawks to announce their 2018 roster, the team is making lots of moves. And I mean a lot.

Slow news day, Seahawks fans? Not at all, of course. 12s are still waiting for Seattle to announce their roster, but partly that is because Seattle is finalizing moves to get the roster set. Here are a few moves made so far on Saturday.

Byron Maxwell is placed on IR

Maxwell, the presumed starter at left cornerback before training camp, has not played this preseason due to a hip injury. On Saturday, the Seahawks placed Maxwell on IR. This offseason, Maxwell re-signed with Seattle for one year and $3 million. He could have been released but Seattle decided to go a different way.

Maxwell will not be eligible to be taken off IR later this year. Week one, the likely starter opposite Shaquill Griffin will be Dontae Johnson. Johnson was acquired this offseason. Rookie Tre Flowers, though, could be the starter by mid-season as he grows more comfortable at corner after transitioning from safety.

Marcus Johnson gets traded to Colts for tight end Darrell Daniels

The Seahawks cleared a little room in the crowded receiver room by trading Johnson. In return, Seattle created more decisions at tight end. Daniels, though, can also play fullback and that may be his real value to Seattle.

Tre Madden is currently the only fullback on the roster, but he hasn’t been great this preseason. Seattle wants to have a lot of fullback sets this season, and Daniels might be the answer to who lead-blocks for Chris Carson and company.

Seattle must not think Earl Thomas will be ready week one; Trades for Shalom Luani

Luani was acquired from the Oakland Raiders for a conditional draft pick. He is a 2017 seventh-round draft pick and appeared in all 16 games last season for Oakland. He started one. Luani is also a solid special teams player and coach Pete Carroll loves guys who can play special teams well.

Of course, adding a safety, even though Seattle also seems to be releasing Maurice Alexander, seems to show that Seattle has little faith that Earl Thomas will be back early in the season. Seattle is worse when Thomas doesn’t play. But, of course, the choice is not theirs at this point.