Seahawks re-sign Will Tukuafu, release C.J. Spiller
Oct 26, 2016, 2:21 PM | Updated: 4:25 pm
(AP)
RENTON – The Seahawks have made a pair of roster moves to shake up their backfield, releasing tailback C.J. Spiller and re-signing fullback Will Tukuafu.
Spiller’s release follows C.J. Prosise’s return from a broken bone in his wrist that sidelined him for four games. Prosise, a rookie third-round pick, was injured in the opener and played Sunday night against Arizona for the first time since then, catching two passes for 17 yards and carrying once for no gain. Spiller served as Seattle’s third-down back for two games in Prosise’s absence and caught a touchdown pass against the Jets days after signing with the Seahawks. But he was inactive Sunday night despite being healthy, an indication that Seattle deemed him expendable with Prosise back.
Tukuafu is back with the Seahawks for the third time in three months, as it appeared he could be when Seattle released him following Week 2. Tukuafu didn’t make the team on the initial cut-down to 53, which allowed the Seahawks to bring him back at any point this season without having to guarantee his entire 2016 base salary (which they would have had he been on the roster Week 1).
The Seahawks’ running game has been uncharacteristically ineffective this season, ranking 31st in yards per carry at 3.1 and 27th in yards per game at 82.7.
They haven’t had a true fullback on their roster since they last released Tukuafu, instead relying on tight ends Luke Willson and Brandon Williams to handle some of those duties. But Willson injured his knee against Atlanta and is expected to miss a few more weeks, which likely contributed to Seattle’s decision to bring back Tukuafu.
“He knows our offense and he has that toughness, that mentality, kind of that grind-them-out mentality,” offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said when asked what Tukuafu brings. “A fullback kind of gives you another dimension. It’s different than putting Luke back there or Brandon Williams back there. … I just feel like that physical part of the puzzle we didn’t feel like we had.”
The Seahawks also made a move on their practice squad, signing quarterback Joel Stave, an undrafted rookie who was previously with Minnesota. Stave played at the University of Wisconsin, where he replaced Russell Wilson following his final season there in 2011. From the fun-fact department, the Seahawks now employ four former Badger quarterbacks, the other two being wide receiver Tanner McEvoy and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell.