Seahawks indeed promote a practice-squad player for Vikings game--not the guy you wanted
Seahawks “Snacks” time is on hold.
Seattle indeed called up a player from its practice squad to be the 54th man on the roster for its game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night at CenturyLink Field.
But it wasn’t Damon “Snacks” Harrison.
It was safety Damarious Randall. That was per the NFL’s official transactions for Saturday.
Randall is a former first-round pick and starter for the Green Bay Packers that Seattle recently signed. He got the roster exemption from the practice squad per new NFL rules for this COVID-19 season for the second consecutive week. Randall made his Seahawks debut last weekend. He played two snaps on defense and four plays on special teams in his new team’s win at Miami.
All-Pro safety Jamal Adams (badly strained groin) and reserve safety Lano Hill (back that also needs more time to heal) are both out for the Seahawks. Ryan Neal, who was on the practice squad for the first two games of this season and most of his first two years in the NFL, will make his second career start Sunday night, again for Adams.
The Seahawks signed Harrison to the practice squad Wednesday. The 2016 All-Pro defensive tackle practiced Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The first impressions: he’s BIG.
He gives a new meaning to “350 pounds.”
He is the third player who has been an All-Pro that Seattle has for its defense. That is, whenever Adams returns from his injury (likely Oct. 25 at Arizona, following the team’s bye) and Harrison proves ready to play. Linebacker Bobby Wagner is a perennial All-Pro.
Coach Pete Carroll gave no indication following Friday’s practice whether Harrison or defensive end Jonathan Bullard would play against Minnesota. Bullard also signed Wednesday, to the active roster off Arizona’s practice squad.
“They put in the work,” this week in practice, is all Carroll said Friday about Harrison and Bullard.
When asked before Harrison’s first practice Wednesday whether Harrison would play against the Vikings this weekend, Carroll said he hoped to play him “as soon as possible.”
Apparently, this weekend was not possible. If Harrison was at all ready to play, he would have—particularly for this game. He’s a renowned run stuffer and space eater. And the Vikings willl be sending NFL rushing leader Dalvin Cook coming right at the interior of their defensive line Sunday night.
“Learning the defense, he’ll be he’ll be fine there. He’ll meet. He’s a really smart football player. That’s not going to be a problem,” Carroll said Wednesday.
“It’s just how fit he is and all that.
“He’s big man, you know.”
Bullard took the spot on the 53-man roster special-teams ace Neiko Thorpe vacated this week when he went on injured reserve.
Bullard played in nine games with the Cardinals last season, starting six. The 26-year-old end is looking to make a quick impression on a last-ranked defense that needs edge pass rushers and line depth. His first appearance with the Seahawks would be his first game since December, for Arizona.
“I hope that I can come in right away and help the defense make some plays,” Bullard said. “I think that’s the best way you can make an impression on your teammates, is come in and be beneficial to the team and help out.”
Of the 54 players on the roster for the Minnesota game, 48 can be active for the game.
