Ethan Pocic Lands on Injured Reserve, Seahawks Promote 2 From Practice Squad

Due to injury issues along the offensive line, Seattle added depth at guard and tight end for Sunday’s game in Cleveland.

With starting left tackle Duane Brown and right guard D.J. Fluker unlikely to play this weekend, the Seahawks made multiple roster moves to bolster depth along the offensive line and at tight end.

As confirmed by the team’s website, Seattle promoted guard Jordan Roos and tight end Jacob Hollister from the practice squad to the active roster. In corresponding moves, guard Ethan Pocic landed on injured reserve and safety Adrian Colbert was waived.

Speaking with reporters prior to the team’s flight to Cleveland, coach Pete Carroll indicated Brown’s lingering biceps injury hasn’t responded at the team hoped. He’s missed practice for several weeks, but still managed to suit up and start in the past two wins against the Cardinals and Rams.

“He’s going to go in doubtful right now.” Carroll said. “That means that when you’re as optimistic as I am, there’s a chance. There’s a chance. He couldn’t practice today.”

In less surprising news, Fluker hasn’t practiced at all this week either after suffering a hamstring injury last Thursday. He exited in the first quarter and second-year lineman Jamarco Jones exceeded expectations in his first regular season action with Seattle.

When asked about where Jones, a natural tackle, would play if Brown and Fluker are both sidelined, Carroll admitted the Seahawks were still “working on that” and refused to answer questions about the expected starting line.

“There may be an edge there somewhere for us. I’m not sure there is. If there is, we’re reaching for it. Small edge, a little tiny edge, but we’re reaching for it and we’re going to wait.”

The decision to place Pocic on injured reserve may simplify the decision-making process for Carroll and line coach Mike Solari. The versatile third-year guard had missed three straight games with a mid-back injury and couldn’t make it through Friday’s practice, forcing the team to make a move.

Without Pocic available for at least eight weeks, George Fant will likely slide in at left tackle for Brown and Jones will stay at right guard, which necessitated the promotions of Roos and Hollister.

Roos, a third-year guard out of Purdue, originally signed with Seattle as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He dressed for seven games as a rookie, playing 48 snaps before spending last season on the practice squad. His return provides additional depth in the interior behind Jones and left guard Mike Iupati.

As for Hollister, Seattle acquired him from New England for a seventh-round draft choice, but he didn’t make the final roster out of training camp. Now that Fant likely won’t be able to resume his role as a pseudo tight end, the team welcomed back the former Wyoming star to back up Will Dissly and Luke Willson.