As expected, the Seahawks placed cornerback Marcus Trufant, who had not practiced since training camp opened over a month ago, on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list with a disk problem in his back. Trufant will not be eligible to join the team until after Week 6 of the regular season.
And, for the second straight year, the team chose veteran kicker Olindo Mare over Brandon Coutu as the starting kicker, waiving the second-year player.
As for surprises, the Seahawks terminated the contract of projected starting free safety Brian Russell, along with versatile veteran linebacker D.D. Lewis, to help shed 23 players to reach the 53-player roster limit.
The Seahawks apparently already have a replacement in mind for Russell – 35-year-old safety and Tacoma native Lawyer Milloy.
First reported by NFL.com and later confirmed by Milloy himself via his Twitter account, the University of Washington product will sign with the Seahawks after the team cleared a spot for him by releasing Russell.
Financial details were not available, but it will be a one-year deal.
Milloy played for the Atlanta Falcons the last three seasons, but had yet to join a team this year. Milloy recently turned down a chance to join the Detroit Lions after the sides could not come to financial terms.
Seahawks general manager Tim Ruskell had said before training camp started that Russell was battling for his starting spot with Jordan Babineaux, 27.
However, the competition never materialized, with Russell taking the majority of the snaps with the first-unit defense during the exhibition season.
Russell, 31, played two seasons with Seattle since joining the team in 2007. He started 32 games and had one interception.
Seattle struggled defending the pass last season, finishing last in the league in pass defense.
Milloy, who played for coach Jim Mora in 2006 – Mora’s last season in Atlanta – likely will play strong safety for Seattle, with current strong safety Deon Grant moving to free safety.
Lewis, 30, who played all three linebacker positions for Seattle, was returning from arthroscopic knee surgery in the offseason.
Lewis became expendable when the Seahawks got improved play from young linebackers Will Herring and David Hawthorne during the preseason. Rookie Aaron Curry will start at outside linebacker.
The Seahawks kept 11 defensive linemen, with rookie defensive tackle Michael Bennett and defensive ends Nick Reed and Derek Walker all making the roster.
Third-year player Baraka Atkins was the odd man out in the competition at defensive end.
And the Seahawks kept only five wide receivers, with fourth-year pro Ben Obomanu snagging the final spot. Courtney Taylor, who started four games while the team suffered through a rash of injuries last season, was waived.
Jordan Kent, who injured his ankle in the final exhibition, was offered an injury settlement.
The Seahawks next turn their attention to the regular-season opener a week from to today, when the St. Louis Rams visit Qwest Field.
Eric D. Williams: 253-597-8437
eric.williams@thenewstribune.com
ROSTER MOVES
The Seahawks announced these roster moves Saturday to meet the NFL’s required 53-man limit.
Vested veterans whose contracts were terminated
LB D.D. Lewis
S Brian Russell
Waived
S Jamar Adams
DE Baraka Atkins
K Brandon Coutu
G Brian De La Puente
CB Marquis Floyd
T Na’Shan Goddard
S Courtney Greene
WR Mike Hass
CB Kevin Hobbs
FB David Kirtman
RB Devin Moore
CB Nate Ness
TE Joe Newton
WR Logan Payne
LB Dave Philistin
T Andre Ramsey
T William Robinson
QB Jeff Rowe
WR Courtney Taylor
Waived with injury settlement
WR Jordan Kent
Contract terminated with injury settlement
G Cory Withrow
Placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list
CB Marcus Trufant
