RENTON – He didn’t play during the exhibition season, but the Seattle Seahawks appear confident James Carpenter, last year’s first-round pick, will be ready to perform in 2012.
Carpenter, who spent the entire training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list rehabilitating from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury suffered in November, will surprisingly begin the season on the active roster.
If Carpenter had started the season on the PUP list, he would not have been allowed to practice with the team for the first six weeks of the regular season. By placing Carpenter on the active roster, Seattle coach Pete Carroll can get the University of Alabama product on the field and ready to play quicker.
Carroll also said Carpenter will move from right tackle to left guard.
The Seahawks also will go with two quarterbacks on the active roster for the first time in three years as the team released third stringer Josh Portis.
The second-year pro out of California (Pa.) University struggled in his only exhibition season action against Oakland on Thursday, finishing 1-for-6 for 10 yards. Portis was sacked once.
A fourth-round pick in 2011 and a fifth-round pick this year also were among the 20 players the team waived or placed on the injured reserve to get down to the league’s 53-man roster limit heading into the season opener at Arizona on Sept. 9.
Other minor surprises included the release of defensive back Phillip Adams, who had been working at cornerback with the second unit behind Brandon Browner; and receiver Deon Butler, a third-round pick in 2009 who battled back from a serious leg injury suffered at the end of the 2010 season.
All players waived Friday are eligible to be claimed off waivers by other teams starting at 9 a.m. today.
Teams can start setting practice squads at that time, once waiver claims have been settled.
Georgia product Kris Durham, a fourth-round pick in 2011, was another player cut by Seattle on Friday. The 6-foot-6 receiver offered good speed to go along with good size, but struggled to stay healthy during his two years with the Seahawks.
Durham was active for three games his rookie season, finishing with three receptions for 30 yards. Durham went on the season-ending injured reserve because he needed shoulder surgery.
Durham flashed potential during training camp this year, but never consistently made enough plays to earn a roster spot.
University of Idaho linebacker Korey Toomer was a fifth-round selection in this year’s draft. Toomer showed speed and athleticism, but wasn’t always correct in his assignments. And Seattle had more experienced options in Mike Morgan and Malcolm Smith.
Receiver Jermaine Kearse, a University of Washington and Lakes High product , also was cut, but could latch onto Seattle’s practice squad.
Others released were defensive end Pierre Allen, linebacker Allen Bradford, offensive lineman Paul Fanaika, offensive lineman Rishaw Johnson, linebacker Kyle Knox, receiver Ricardo Lockette, tight end Sean McGrath, offensive lineman Kris O’Dowd, safety DeShawn Shead and receiver Lavasier Tuinei.
Duke University tight end Cooper Helfet and running back Vai Taua were waived/injured. Taua suffered a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) strain in the second half of Thursday’s game against Oakland.
Veteran linebacker Matt McCoy (knee) was placed on the injured reserve and cornerback Walter Thurmond (leg) was placed on the PUP list.
Offensive lineman Allen Barbre was placed on the reserved/suspended list.
Barbre is suspended for the first four games this season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, and he does not count against Seattle’s final roster total.
SEAHAWKS’ 53-MAN ROSTER
OFFENSE (25 PLAYERS)
Quarterbacks (2): Russell Wilson, Matt Flynn.
Running backs (5): Tailbacks – Marshawn Lynch, Leon Washington, Robert Turbin, Kregg Lumpkin. Fullback – Michael Robinson.
Wide receivers (6): Sidney Rice, Golden Tate, Doug Baldwin, Braylon Edwards, Ben Obomanu, Charly Martin.
Tight ends (3): Zach Miller, Kellen Winslow Jr., Anthony McCoy.
Offensive line (9): Russell Okung, Paul McQuistan, Max Unger, John Moffitt, Breno Giacomini, J.R. Sweezy, Lemuel Jeanpierre, James Carpenter, Frank Omiyale.
DEFENSE (25 PLAYERS)
Defensive line (9): Chris Clemons, Brandon Mebane, Alan Branch, Red Bryant, Bruce Irvin, Jason Jones, Quinton McDonald, Jaye Howard, Greg Scruggs.
Linebackers (6): Leroy Hill, K.J. Wright, Bobby Wagner, Mike Morgan, Heath Farwell, Malcolm Smith.
Defensive backs (10): Brandon Browner, Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, Marcus Trufant, Byron Maxwell, Jeron Johnson, Jeremy Lane, Chris Maragos and Winston Guy.
SPECIAL TEAMS (3 PLAYERS)
Punter: Jon Ryan. Kicker: Steven Hauschka. Long snapper: Clint Gresham.
eric.williams@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks
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