Seahawks Make Handful of Roster Moves Ahead of Opener vs Patriots
By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA - Ahead of their 2026 season opening contest against the New England Patriots in a Super Bowl 60 rematch, the Seattle Seahawks have made a few roster moves involving four players. As expected, considering their injuries at the position, the Seahawks made two moves to address their depth at the safety position. With Ty Okada out and Nick Emmanwori listed as questionable for this game, safeties AJ Finley and Rodney Thomas II will be with the team tonight.
Finley has been signed to the 53-man roster, and Thomas II has been elevated from the practice squad for tonight against New England. There was some thought that Seattle would elevate D’Anthony Bell, who had backed up Nick Emmanwori (Appearing in 14 games last season) as the teams third safety when they ran their looks in big nickel, but the Seahawks opt against doing that. If there was any belief that Emmanwori would play after being listed as questionable, that belief should be quieted now.
Finley is a familiar face for the Seahawks, joining Seattle when head coach Mike Macdonald took over. Thomas is a veteran in the league that signed this past free agency, having spent the first four years of his career as an Indianapolis Colt.
Seattle has been hit hard in the safety department, with second round pick Bud Clark on season ending injured reserve and third round pick Julian Neal limited throughout training camp due to injury, and that’s just their rookies. Okada was ruled out for this game after he didn’t practice this past week leading into the opener, dealing with a hamstring injury that is unclear when it occurred.
Emmanwori, a star in his rookie campaign last year with plenty of potential to be a superstar in this league, underwent ankle surgery back in July that past his status for the opener up in the air. Back on August 30th, it was reported by ESPN’s Brady Henderson that Emmanwori was practicing in full pads as he worked his way back.
Additionally, the Seahawks made a second practice squad elevation in the form of running back Velus Jones Jr.. Jones Jr. played a special teams role down the stretch for Seattle last season, and it seems like he’s set to continue doing so this year.
Guard Bryce Cabeldue was the fourth player involved in the roster moves this afternoon, being waived to make room for the prior moves made. Cabeldue was a 2025 sixth round selection made by Seattle, out of the University of Kansas, appearing in eight games last season. On January 23, 2026, Cabeldue was placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury.
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Check out our previous Seattle Seahawks articles here.
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Photo in cover by Edwin Hooper via the Seattle Seahawks
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