Will Tukuafu

Seahawks Sign Will Tukuafu, L.J. Fort

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.

Extra Points: Bears, Rice, Sam, Rivers

Worried about potential unrest in Chicago? Brandon Marshall isn’t. “We’re great,” Marshall said of his relationship with quarterback Jay Cutler in an appearance on Showtime’s Inside The NFL (video link). Still, one has to wonder if the Bears offense can get back on the same page this season and make a run for the NFC North crown. More from around the NFL..

  • As expected, Ray Rice has filed a grievance against the Ravens, challenging the team’s decision to terminate his contract, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. If Rice is successful in his grievances against both the Ravens and the NFL, he would be eligible to receive $3.52MM from Baltimore.
  • Michael Sam figures to find another NFL opportunity thanks to his motor, writes Tom Pelissero of USA Today. The linebacker was released from the Cowboys‘ taxi squad earlier today.
  • Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is on his way to joining the $20MM quarterback club, writes Joel Corry of CBSSports.com. Since the start of the 2013 season, Rivers has enjoyed a career revival and has arguably been the league’s second-best quarterback behind Peyton Manning.
  • A source tells Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter) that RB Alex Green had a “good workout” with the Giants today, but the team isn’t signing him at this time. Big Blue won’t be inking Felix Jones to a contract either, but he’ll be on the team’s “short list” if and when a tailback is needed (link).
  • Former Giants center Jim Cordle worked out for the Titans recently, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Cordle suffered a partially torn patella but Caplan says he’s been healthy for a while.
  • With Derrick Coleman hurt, the Seahawks worked out veteran fullbacks Tony Fiammetta, Greg Jones, and Will Tukuafu, tweets Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports.
  • The Titans got something for nothing when they sent Akeem Ayers and a seventh-round choice to the Patriots earlier today for a sixth-round pick, opines Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com. Ayers is in his contract year and wasn’t contributing much to the Titans. Of course, the Titans wish things worked out differently with their former second-round pick.
  • The NFL could wind up installing two personal conduct policies: one for players and one for all other NFL employees, including owners, writes Peter King of The MMQB. The policy for non-players could be hammered out by Thanksgiving and the players policy should be completed after that.

49ers Trim Roster Down To 53

5:45pm: The 49ers have officially set their 53-man roster, announcing the moves in a press release. Earlier, we learned that the team cut ways with 13 players, and we now have the other six players that have been released:

Released:

Placed on injured reserve:

It was previously reported that Tukuafu was released, but it appears that the former Oregon Duck will stick around on the team’s IR.

1:47pm: The 49ers are whittling their roster down to 53 players, and have cut the following players so far, according to various reports: