Tag: Easop Winston Jr.

5 most important Seattle Seahawks practice squad signings

5 most important Seattle Seahawks practice squad signings

The Seattle Seahawks officially announced a 15-man practice squad on Wednesday afternoon. No, general manager John Schneider didn’t retain every talent via the practice squad that he probably wanted to. The Carolina Panthers claimed ex Seahawks linebacker Jon Rhattigan and EDGE Jamie Sheriff on waivers, potentially altering Schneider’s plans.

Schneider and the Seahawks still put together an intriguing practice squad. Mixing veterans with developmental rookies, Seattle’s backup squad has a healthy balance of players that could immediately help and ones that could turn into long-term contributors. With that in mind, we’ve identified the five most important practice squad signings.

George Holani, RB

Many believed the Seahawks would retain four running backs on the active roster, but Schneider stuck with just three. Sophomore back Kenny McIntosh won the RB3 job, and the Seahawks choose to pass undrafted rookie George Holani through waivers. Thankfully, Holani cleared, and has been placed on the practice squad after rushing for 65 yards and two touchdowns during the preseason.

Artie Burns, CB

Veteran cornerback Artie Burns wasn’t subject to the waiver wire process because he’s a vested veteran. Burns could have signed with any team of his choosing after being released, but he opted to re-join the Seahawks via the practice squad. Retaining the experienced cover-man, who occasionally worked with the first-team defense in training camp as the nickel corner, was a big victory for Schneider.

Michael Barrett, LB

The Seahawks acquired rookie linebacker Michael Barrett in a trade with the Carolina Panthers in exchange for cornerback Mike Jackson. Seattle still waived Barrett, but managed to get him back on the practice squad. He’ll spend the season developing under coaches he’s familiar with from his time at Michigan, including special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh.

McClendon Curtis, IOL

Sophomore blocker McClendon Curtis spent the majority of last season on the 53-man roster. This offseason, he proved versatile enough to work at both offensive tackle and his more prominent guard positions. If the Seahawks suffer an injury across the offensive line, Curtis will be ready to join the game-day roster.

Easop Winston Jr., WR

Eason Winston Jr. was Seattle’s most productive wide receiver throughout the preseason. He posted team-highs in receptions (8), receiving yards (99), and touchdowns (1). The Seahawks were deep at wideout, so Winston Jr. had to settle for a developmental spot on the practice squad.

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RB George Holani and 14 others signed to Seahawks practice squad

RB George Holani and 14 others signed to Seahawks practice squad

The Seattle Seahawks have their official active roster set, and now they have their practice squad ready to go as well. Among those on the team are a few notable names, such as running back George Holani, wide receiver Easop Winston Jr., and linebacker Michael Barrett who the team acquired in a trade with the Carolina Panthers.

Keeping these players in the Seahawks system is certainly a win, especially in the case of Holani. He played well in the preseason, and could be a good insurance piece should something happen injury wise to any of Seattle’s top three running backs.

Here is the full list of the practice squad, as announced by the team via their Twitter page:

  • LB Michael Barrett
  • DT Kyon Barrs
  • S Marquise Blair
  • CB Artie Burns
  • T McClendon Curtis
  • T Garret Greenfield
  • RB George Holani
  • DE DeVere Levelston
  • TE Tyler Mabry
  • LB Patrick O’Connell
  • S Ty Okada
  • G Raiqwon O’Neal
  • T Max Pircher
  • WR Cody White
  • WR Easop Winston Jr.

 

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Full list of 2024 Seahawks roster cuts

Full list of 2024 Seahawks roster cuts

The NFL’s deadline of 4:00 pm Eastern/1:00 pm Pacific to make the final roster cuts has come and gone. The Seattle Seahawks have officially set their 53-man roster, and the full team can be seen here.

Unfortunately, this means there are plenty of young men who will not be suiting up in Action Green and College Navy when Week 1 rolls around. Below is the full list of players who were waived, cut, and placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.

Waived:

  • LB Sundiata Anderson
  • LB Michael Barrett 
  • DT Kyon Barrs
  • CB Lance Boykin
  • LB Nelson Ceaser
  • T McClendon Curtis
  • WR Dee Eskridge
  • TE Michael Ezeike
  • TE Devon Garrison
  • LB Easton Gibbs
  • T Garret Greenfield
  • WR Hayden Hatten
  • RB George Holani
  • CB D.J. James
  • CB Carlton Johnson
  • DT Mario Kendricks
  • DE DeVere Levelston
  • RB Kobe LEwis
  • TE Tyler Mabry
  • LB Patrick O’Connell
  • S Ty Okada
  • G Raiqwon O’Neal
  • T Max Pircher
  • LB Jon Rhattigan
  • RB Kairee Robinson
  • WR Ty Scott
  • LB Jamie Sheriff
  • WR Cody White
  • WR Easop Winston Jr.

Terminated Veteran Contract:

  • S marquise Blair
  • CB Artie Burns
  • LB Blake Lynch
  • QB PJ Walker

Waived/Injured

  • TE Jack Westover

Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform

  • T Abe Lucas
  • S Jerrick Reed II
  • NT Cameron Young

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Has WR Easop Winston Jr. done enough to make Seahawks roster?

Has WR Easop Winston Jr. done enough to make Seahawks roster?

Seattle Seahawks fifth-year wide receiver Easop Winston Jr. has written one of the team’s more heartwarming stories of training camp. The former undrafted free agent out of Washington State initially joined the Seahawks in 2022 as a member of the practice squad. He’s stuck around ever since.

Winston has consistently made plays throughout camp and the preseason. In Saturday’s Week 2 preseason defeat to the Tennessee Titans, he opened the scoring with a lovely over-the-shoulder 23 yard touchdown grab. Winston led all Seahawks in receptions (3) and receiving yards (47).

Winston is also tied for the Seahawks’ preseason lead in receptions with five, and leads all Seattle pass catchers in receiving yards with 78. He was Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded Seahawks player in the Titans game with an elite score of 90.2.

The Seahawks are deep at the wideout position. Together, D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba form one of the best receiving trios around the league. Sophomore UDFA Jake Bobo is having an excellent offseason in his own right and has solidified himself as the WR4. Veteran Laviska Shenault is an outstanding special teams player and projects as the fifth receiver on the roster.

Seahawks general manager John Schneider is tasked with trimming his 90-man roster down to 53 by next Tuesday’s mid-afternoon deadline. How many running backs, offensive linemen, and tight ends the Seahawks retain will determine if they can keep a sixth receiver. Winston isn’t guaranteed to remain on the active roster.

Winston has undeniably put his best foot forward. He’s been a regular standout in camp practices and the preseason. The veteran wideout has performed admirably enough to make most 53-man rosters, but Seattle’s may be too deep. If Schneider can’t justify retaining six receivers, he’ll likely attempt to sign Easton to the practice squad.

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First half highlights: Seahawks lead Titans 12-7

First half highlights: Seahawks lead Titans 12-7

It has been another low-scoring, defensive affair between the Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans during their second preseason game. At the moment, Seattle has gone into intermission with a solid 9-7 lead over Tennesee.

Return man Laviska Shenault Jr. started the fireworks early. Although he was not the one to catch the ball, he laid out a perfect lead block to help give the Seahawks excellent field position to start.

Macdonald’s defense once again shined early, which was defined by a sack from linebackers Derick Hall and Boye Mafe, who brought down Titans quarterback Malik Willis on third down.

The Seahawks offense finally got things started by engineering an eight-play, 84-yard touchdown drive on their third possession. After earning only one yeard on their first two possessions, the third time proved to be the charm. Backup quarterback Sam Howell, who got the start over a resting Geno Smith, found former WAZZU alum Easop Winston Jr. for a 23-yard touchdown on a perfectly thrown ball.

However, the Titans were able to find their way on the board towards the end of the first half. After three-straight possessions ending in punts, former Steelers-turned-Titans quarterback Mason Rudolph led Tennessee on a 10-play, 78-yard drive which was capped off by a 15-yard touchdown to No. 15, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.

But the Seahawks were not done. Sam Howell likely solidified his backup postion by moving the ball down the field 43-yards in only 0:38 seconds to give kicker Jason Myers a shot at more points. Myers connected from 48-yards out for his second field goal of the game, as Seattle leads 12-7.

Be sure to follow @TheSeahawksWire in the second half for more highlights, analysis, and updates.

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Watch: Sam Howell finds Easop Winston for 23-yard TD strike

Watch: Sam Howell finds Easop Winston for 23-yard TD strike

For a second straight week in the preseason, the Seattle Seahawks have claimed an early lead thanks to a touchdown drive from quarterback Sam Howell.

The Seahawks started the first quarter a little slow, only gaining one total yard on their first two drives combined. For Seattle, the third time was the charm as they engineered an eight-play, 84-yard drive lasting 4:53. The drive was capped off by Howell, who found wide receiver Easop Winston Jr. for this beautiful 23-yard touchdown strike on first down.

Winston is one of the handful of players trying to crack his way into an incredibly crowded Seattle wide receiver room. Bouncing around from team to team for a few years now, mainly remaining on practice squads, the former WSU Cougar is looking to finally break into the league with the home-state Seahawks.

Seattle leads 6-0 over Tennessee with the entirety of the second quarter to pla at time of publication.

Be sure to follow @TheSeahawksWire on Twitter for live updates, highlights and analysis.

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Backup Seahawks players to watch vs. Titans in preseason Week 2

Backup Seahawks players to watch vs. Titans in preseason Week 2

The Seattle Seahawks concluded their two-day joint practices with the Tennessee Titans on Thursday. The final of two shared sessions was particularly physical and taxing. Head coach Mike Macdonald will respond by letting the second-and-third stringers play the majority of Saturday’s preseason game.

There’s a decent chance not a single of Seattle’s 22 projected starters will take a snap versus the Titans. It will represent the best opportunity for fringe roster players to make their case ahead of 53-man roster cutdowns. We’ve identified backup talents worth monitoring against the Titans.

George Holani, RB

Undrafted running back George Holani is attempting to win the RB3 job from sophomore Kenny McIntosh. Holani rushed for 24 yards and a touchdown in Seattle’s first preseason game. He should receive an extended look versus the Titans after getting some first-team reps at joint practice.

Easop Winston Jr., WR

Eason Winston Jr. was Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded Seahawks player in their Week 1 preseason game. Winston recorded two receptions for 31 receiving yards, including an explosive 21-yard gain. He’s attempting to capture a reserve roster spot at receiver behind D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Jake Bobo.

Brady Russell, TE

Sophomore tight end Brady Russell scored Seattle’s only passing touchdown last weekend, catching a 13-yard score from Sam Howell. Russell should play a lot on Saturday with starting tight end Noah Fant nursing a minor injury that’s likely to keep him sidelined for a meaningless exhibition game.

Carlton Johnson, CB

Seahawks undrafted cornerback Carlton Johnson consistently put forth strong reps during one-on-one drills with the Titans receivers. There’s a lot of competition at reserve cornerback with the Seahawks having drafted two rookies in Nehemiah Pritchett and D.J. James. Johnson needs to carry over his joint practice performances into Saturday’s game.

Tyrice Knight, LB

Fifth-round rookie linebacker Tyrice Knight put forth an eye-opening performance against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first preseason game. Knight should see another heavy workload versus the Titans with Jerome Baker and Jon Rhattigan nursing injuries. The other projected starter, Tyrel Dodson, is unlikely to play as well.

Easton Gibbs, LB

Undrafted rookie Easton Gibbs is in his second stint with the Seahawks already. He was waived earlier this summer after signing with the team as a UDFA after the 2024 NFL Draft. Macdonald needed bodies at off-ball linebacker for joint practices with Baker and Rhattigan being non-participants. Gibbs needs to take advantage of increased play-time on Saturday.

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Seahawks 53-man roster tracker: Leonard Williams in, Cody Thompson out

Here’s the updated 53-man roster by jersey number going into tomorrow’s game against the Cleveland Browns.

The Seahawks are serious about making a deep postseason run this year. Just hours after their home win over the Browns, Seattle pulled off a trade that should help them get there. The front office has sent a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 fifth-rounder to the Giants in exchange for Leonard Williams, one of the top interior pass rushers in the league.

To make room for Wiliams, the Seahawks have waived wide receiver Cody Thompson. Our roster tracker is now updated (Oct. 31).

Studs and duds from Seahawks 19-15 Preseason Week 3 loss

It was a mostly uneventful game, at least compared to their last two surprisingly thrilling wins, but Seattle did make it interesting late. 

The Seattle Seahawks closed out the 2023 preseason with a 19-15 loss to the Green Bay Packers on the road. Seattle improved from their abysmal 0-3 record last year by going 2-1 in their exhibition games.

It was a mostly uneventful game, at least compared to their last two surprisingly thrilling wins, but Seattle did make it interesting late.

While ultimately the third and final preseason game is rather pointless, there still were those who stood out – both positively and negatively – as players try to make the final cut. With that being said, here are three studs and one dud.