Cody White #82 of the Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are making some strategic adjustments to their roster as they prepare for a pivotal Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara. On Saturday, the team announced a series of roster moves, including promotions from the practice squad and a couple of key roster changes.
Cody White and Tyler Mabry Elevated to 53-Man Roster
Receiver Cody White and tight end Tyler Mabry have both been promoted from the Seahawks’ practice squad to the 53-man roster ahead of the team’s trip to San Francisco. These moves come at a time when the Seahawks are dealing with injuries at key positions.
White, who made an impression in his debut during Week 9 against the Los Angeles Rams, has earned a full-time spot on the roster after a strong performance on special teams and offense. In that game, White was a standout, blocking a punt and catching two passes for 44 yards. He also drew a pass interference penalty, showcasing his ability to contribute in multiple areas.
After the game, Seahawks coach Macdonald praised White’s energy and effort: “Glad that he had an opportunity to show what he had to do. Guys were fired up for him. It shows the depth we have on our football team. Like I said, we have the right guys. Just having an opportunity. This guy plays extremely hard. Love Cody. Happy for him.”
White’s ability to impact special teams while also providing a spark on offense gives the Seahawks added versatility, especially as they prepare for the challenge of facing a high-powered 49ers squad.
Mabry’s elevation adds depth to the tight end position with both Noah Fant and Brady Russell sidelined due to injury. The veteran tight end has appeared in eight games for the Seahawks since joining the team in 2020 and will likely step in as a reliable backup option in the absence of the injured starters.
Roster Adjustments: Connor Williams and Brandon Pili
In order to make room for the new additions, the Seahawks placed center Connor Williams on the reserve/retired list. Williams, who has been with the team for several seasons, will now be unavailable for the remainder of the year. While his retirement status opens up space on the roster, it also leaves the Seahawks with fewer experienced interior linemen moving forward.
Additionally, the Seahawks waived nose tackle Brandon Pili, who has spent time on the team’s practice squad this season. Pili, a former undrafted free agent out of USC, was brought in for depth but was ultimately let go in this round of moves.
Practice Squad Elevations: Ty Okada and Patrick O’Connell
The Seahawks also made two additional elevations from the practice squad. Safety Ty Okada and linebacker Patrick O’Connell were both elevated to the active roster for Sunday’s game against the 49ers.
Okada, an undrafted free agent out of Montana State, has seen limited action this season, playing in two games as a practice squad elevation. He also appeared in five games as a rookie. With Seattle dealing with injuries and a need for additional depth in the secondary, Okada could see an expanded role as the season progresses.
O’Connell, another undrafted free agent (this time out of Montana), has appeared in two games over the past two seasons for the Seahawks. With Tyrel Dodson being waived earlier in the week, O’Connell’s elevation provides the Seahawks with much-needed linebacker depth heading into the final stretch of the season.
Preparing for a Tough Test Against the 49ers
The Seahawks (6-3) are in a heated race for playoff positioning in the NFC, and their Week 11 matchup against the 49ers (7-3) is critical for maintaining momentum. With several injuries to key players, these roster moves signal a team that’s looking to shore up depth and continue to compete at a high level.
With Cody White and Tyler Mabry stepping in to fill gaps created by injuries, and Ty Okada and Patrick O’Connell providing additional depth, the Seahawks are betting on their next man up mentality to take on one of the NFC’s toughest teams. These moves could have a significant impact on Seattle’s game plan as they try to slow down the dynamic offense of the 49ers and keep pace in the competitive NFC West.
As the season heads into its final stretch, Seattle’s ability to stay healthy and make the right roster moves could determine how far they go in the playoff race. Expect these latest adjustments to be part of the ongoing strategy as the team looks to make a playoff push.
