Seahawks Moves: Flowers off IR, Shell to COVID-19 list, Hyde out vs 49ers

Ahead of their 2020 season finale in Arizona against the San Francisco 49ers (yes, you read that right), the Seahawks have made a flurry of roster moves that involve both sides of the ball for Week 17.

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First things first, cornerback Tre Flowers has been activated off injured reserve and will return in Week 17. Flowers had a hamstring injury that has kept him out since Week 12. Flowers has started seven games this season, but D.J. Reed has emerged as a key player for the Seahawks’ surging defense, so Flowers will likely be a reserve player going forward.

Flowers takes defensive tackle Damon “Snacks” Harrison’s spot on the 53-man roster as Harrison requested his release earlier this week. He was claimed by the Green Bay Packers.

In addition to Flowers being activated, the Seahawks also placed starting right tackle Brandon Shell and backup safety Damarious Randall on the COVID-19/reserve list. Shell had a close contact test positive and as of Friday, head coach Pete Carroll said that Shell hadn’t tested positive for the illness. Being placed on that list doesn’t mean that a player has tested positive for COVID-19.

Cedric Ogbuehi will likely start in Shell’s place at right tackle against the 49ers as he has three times this year.

With those two out for at least Week 17, the Seahawks will promote running back Alex Collins and receiver Penny Hart from the practice squad as COVID-19 replacement players. Collins in two games this season has 48 rushing yards on 12 carries and a touchdown, along with a receiving touchdown. Hart has appeared in 12 games, mostly as a special teams player, and has one catch for three yards and one 19-yard rushing attempt. The Seahawks are also elevating veteran guard Alex Boone from the practice squad for Sunday as well. Boone signed with Seattle recently and hasn’t played in the NFL since 2017.

Collins’ addition to the roster for Week 17 is big, as No. 2 running back Carlos Hyde did not travel with the team to Arizona, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Hyde missed practice this week due to an illness.

Seahawks' RB Carlos Hyde, who missed practice time this week due to a non-COVID-related illness, did not make the trip to Arizona today and is out for Sunday's game against the 49ers.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 2, 2021

Hyde this season has appeared in 10 games this season, rushing for 356 yards and four touchdowns. He also has 93 receiving yards.

With Hyde out, Collins will join starter Chris Carson and 2018 first-round pick Rashaad Penny in Seattle’s backfield. Penny has played in just two games this year as he’s recovered from an ACL tear he suffered late in 2019. Penny may see a larger role in Week 17 with Hyde out and if the Seahawks want to limit Carson’s touches with the playoffs around the corner.

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