The Seattle Seahawks made a late, game-day roster decision Saturday, elevating running back Cam Akers and cornerback Tyler Hall from the practice squad ahead of their Week 18 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. The Seahawks officially announced the moves just hours before their matchup on January 3.
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET, giving Seattle a couple of last-minute depth options as it heads into the regular-season finale.
Key details (fast)
- Akers: third straight elevation; gives Seattle a third RB behind Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet.
- Special teams: Akers has played special teams in Seattle’s past two games and handled kick returns last week after Rashid Shaheed exited with a concussion.
- Hall: longtime practice-squad corner who could make his Seahawks debut; has 31 career games with six starts, most recently with the Raiders in 2023.
Seahawks Add a Third RB and a Fresh DB Option for Week 18
Seattle’s elevation of Akers is a pretty clear “pressure moment” move: it’s extra insurance behind Walker and Charbonnet for a high-intensity rivalry game, while also keeping a proven special-teams body available in case the return game needs a pivot again.
Akers’ role has quietly expanded since joining the mix. In last week’s win at Carolina, he took over kick return duties after Shaheed was sidelined by a concussion, returning two kicks for 54 yards, per the team’s release.
The twist: Seattle has since gotten good news on Shaheed’s status. Seahawks.com reported Shaheed was cleared to play against the 49ers after practicing fully and avoiding a game designation. That means Akers’ return duty isn’t guaranteed, but it also means Seattle can now use Akers as a flexible chess piece on special teams and as the “break glass” RB3 if the game turns chaotic.
What It Means for Cam Akers (And Why This Elevation Matters)
This isn’t just another call-up. Under NFL rules, a practice-squad player can be elevated to the active roster for up to three regular-season games in the same league year, and after that, the team has to sign him to the 53-man roster for any additional elevations.
That’s a big “what happens next” hook for Seattle: this is Akers’ third straight elevation, so if the Seahawks want him available again after Saturday, it likely becomes a real roster decision, not a temporary paper move.
For fans, the takeaway is simple: Seattle is treating this night like it could get physical and unpredictable, and it’s stocking the bench accordingly.
Tyler Hall Could Make Seahawks Debut in a Secondary That Always Needs Bodies
The other elevation, Hall, is about coverage depth and flexibility. The Seahawks called him up from the practice squad, and he would be making his Seattle debut if he plays, after spending time in the system across the past two seasons.
Hall isn’t a household name, but he’s not new to the league. He’s appeared in 31 NFL games with six starts since entering as an undrafted free agent in 2020, including 11 games with three starts for the Raiders in 2023.
In a game where one special-teams tackle, one emergency snap at corner, or one “next man up” series can swing momentum, Seattle clearly wanted a DB it trusts in the building, not a last-second external add.
What to Watch Once Inactives Drop
The next clue comes when Seattle announces who’s actually active. Teams can elevate players, but that doesn’t guarantee a snap on offense/defense, especially if the plan is primarily special teams.
Two things to watch:
- Return roles: If Shaheed is fully back, does Akers still get a kick-return look, or is he strictly RB3 + coverage units?
- Akers roster pressure: If Seattle wants Akers again beyond Saturday, fans should brace for a follow-up roster move tied to the “three elevations” rule.
Seahawks Shake Roster Up Late Before 49ers Showdown