After waiving a pair of offensive players – wideout Phil Bates and tight end Brett Brackett – yesterday, the Seahawks have filled those open roster spots by adding a free agent and a player off their practice squad. According to the team (Twitter link), Seattle has signed fullback Will Tukuafu and promoted linebacker L.J. Fort to the 53-man roster.
The Seahawks had been without a fullback since placing Derrick Coleman on injured reserve, and could have some depth issues at linebacker with Bobby Wagner out and Malcolm Smith battling an injury, so it makes sense that the team would add a player at each of those positions.
Still, it’s also worth noting that both Tukuafu and Fort have been listed at other positions during their NFL careers. When the Seahawks signed Fort to their taxi squad, they listed him as a fullback, after he auditioned at that spot during his tryout with the team. For now, he’ll be returning to his original position. As for Tukuafu, he has experience on the defensive line as well as at fullback during his previous seasons with the division-rival Niners.
The Seahawks now have a full 53-man roster, with two openings on their practice squad.