After announcing they’d use their IR-return slot on linebacker Mike Morgan last month, the Seahawks activated the veteran in advance of their Week 13 game against the Panthers, per Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (on Twitter).
The Seahawks placed linebacker Jordan Tripp on IR to make room for Morgan’s return. Morgan is expected to start opposite K.J. Wright at outside linebacker Sunday night, Condotta tweets.
Morgan ventured to IR on October 3 due to a sports hernia issue. He returned to practice midway through last month and will return to game action just before the 21-day limit Seattle had to activate him expires.
Pete Carroll said when it became known the team was bringing Morgan off IR he could have played in mid-November if he weren’t on the IR list. But the eight-week waiting period is over, and the Seahawks will have another contributor available as they attempt to secure their third playoff bye in four years.
A six-year veteran used mostly on special teams, Morgan has been a key part of those units for the Seahawks. On a defense filled with well-paid standouts, Morgan fills in one of the gaps that require cheap labor to balance out the cap. Seattle re-signed Morgan, a former UDFA, in March to a deal that pays him $1MM this season. He’s started in one game this year after making two starts in 2015.