The Seattle Seahawks didn't need much help for their Super Bowl-winning roster. With one of the most stacked defenses in the NFL, rookies looking to make a strong impression were already facing a tall order.
As such, missing a single practice drill can be the difference between making the roster and not. That's why rookie seventh-round pick Deven Eastern might be looking at an uphill challenge after being placed on the PUP list.
The rookie out of Minnesota can be activated at any point during training camp. Then again, he also missed time in the spring, and while the team hasn't disclosed the nature of the injury, it looks like he might not be ready for a while.
Deven Eastern is a long shot to make the Seattle Seahawks' roster
Eastern was one of the team's primary candidates to make the practice squad. Now, other guys, like Uso Seumalo, might benefit from the opportunity. Fellow undrafted rookies Aidan Hubbard and Marvin Jones Jr. could also enter the conversation.
Standing at 6-foot-5 and with a massive 320-pound frame, Eastern looked like a prototypical nose tackle. He can also play 3-tech, and he drew rave reviews for his balanced skill set against both the pass and the run.
In his final season at Minnesota, Eastern earned an honorable mention for the All-Big Ten team, piling up 65 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. He's big, strong, aggressive, and more athletic than the average guy his size. If not on the practice squad, he could've even made an impact on special teams.
Eastern was already facing a challenging picture. Veteran NT Brandon Pili is coming off a career year and just got another one-year, $2 million contract to return this offseason. J.R. Singleton and Bubba Thomas can also be in the mix for some snaps at the position.
Of course, even if Eastern doesn't make the 53-man roster, that doesn't mean it should be the end of the line for him in Seattle. He was always considered a developmental prospect, and the team will most likely bring him back to the practice squad if they cut him.
That said, while there's never an ideal moment to miss time, the timing of this undisclosed injury is extremely unfortunate. Training camp is a crucial time in any rookie's development, so hopefully, it won't be long before he can put the pads on and take the field again.
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