The Seattle Seahawks made a batch of late-season roster moves on December 30, headlined by signing rookie tackle Amari Kight off the practice squad and welcoming back outside linebacker Derick Hall after a one-game suspension. To clear room, Seattle placed receiver Cody White (groin) on injured reserve and waived safety D’Anthony Bell, per the team’s official announcement.
With Seattle set for a massive Week 18 matchup at the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, Jan. 3, the timing is the story: these are the kinds of depth decisions teams make when every snap matters.
Key details (quick hit):
- Derick Hall returns after serving a one-game suspension.
- Seahawks sign OT Amari Kight to the 53-man roster after his third and final practice-squad elevation.
- WR Cody White (groin) to IR; S D’Anthony Bell waived.
- Seahawks add WR Montorie Foster Jr. to the practice squad.
Seahawks Add Tackle Depth as Injuries Stack Up
Kight’s promotion is a classic “why now” move. Seattle has leaned on him as emergency tackle depth in back-to-back weeks, and the club elevated him again for Week 17, his third elevation, which effectively forced a decision: either sign him to the active roster or move on. Seattle chose to keep him.
The need is straightforward. The Seahawks have been piecing together the edges of the offensive line, with Josh Jones filling in at left tackle for an injured Charles Cross, while Abraham Lucas has been part of the tackle depth picture. Kight now gives Seattle another true tackle body on the 53 going into Week 18.
What It Means for Seattle’s Depth Chart Before 49ers Game
Hall’s return matters because it restores Seattle’s edge rotation at the exact moment the pressure ramps up. The Seahawks had him on the reserve/suspended list during his one-game absence; now he’s back as the team tries to keep its pass-rush and run-defense roles stable heading into the regular-season finale.
White landing on injured reserve is the flip side of the urgency. Under NFL roster rules, an IR stint means a player must miss at least four games, and teams are limited in how many players they can designate to return (with additional postseason flexibility). Practically speaking, that’s a tough timeline when you’re already at the end of the regular season.
Bell being waived closes the loop on a short stint after Seattle had recently added him from the practice squad earlier in December.
Seattle also tweaked the practice squad, signing receiver Montorie Foster Jr. The undrafted rookie out of Michigan State was in the organization earlier this year after a rookie minicamp tryout, signed in May, then was waived in August with an injury designation. Now he’s back in the mix as Seattle reshuffles depth at wideout with Cody White sidelined.
Stakes, Schedule, and What Happens Next
Seattle’s Week 18 game at San Francisco is already positioned as a high-leverage matchup with major seeding implications, which is why the Seahawks are prioritizing functional depth and healthy bodies. The winner between the Seahawks and 49ers will become the NFC’s No. 1 seed, and have home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
The stakes cannot be higher.
Seahawks Cut Ties With Safety, Add Needed Tackle Depth Before 49ers Game