The Seahawks made a change at long snapper Tuesday, placing Nolan Frese on injured reserve, the result of an ankle injury sustained in Sunday's win over the San Francisco 49ers. Tyler Ott was signed to take over long-snapping duties.
Frese was able to finish last week's game with what Seahawks coach Pete Carroll later confirmed was a high-ankle sprain, but was noticeably limited by the injury during the game. That injury likely contributed to a punt snap that went over Jon Ryan's head and through the end zone for a safety, Carroll said.
"He couldn't run at all, so he was just clomping around on a totally casted foot to get through the game," Carroll said on 710 ESPN Seattle Monday. "So the fact that he had a snap that got away from him, a lot of guys would not have finished the game, so I give him credit for really just battling through it and giving us the best he could."
Ott, who played tight end and long snapper at Harvard, appeared in three games earlier this season with Cincinnati, and one game last year with the New York Giants. Ott has also spent time in the offseason with New England and the Rams dating back to 2014. At his Tuesday afternoon press conference, Carroll said the club is confident Ott can step into the lineup for this weekend's Wild Card playoff matchup with the Detroit Lions.
"He's played in games this year and he's done well," Carroll said of the 6-foot-3, 253-pound Ott. "His numbers are right as far as his tempo getting the ball back. He's a good-sized kid, looks good. We're going for it like we're not even going to think twice about it."
Meeting with the media in the locker room before Tuesday's practice, Ott said he originally worked out for the Seahawks before the regular-season began, and has been staying ready ever since.
"I'm excited for the opportunity," Ott said. "I've been trying for three years to really stick and play with a team. This is a huge opportunity to make a Super Bowl run. It's my first playoff game, but all these guys here are great, helping me along and everything, the coaching staff getting me ready."
Team photographer Rod Mar shares exclusive behind-the-scenes images from the Seattle Seahawks' 2016 regular-season finale against the San Francisco 49ers at Santa Clara's Levi's Stadium.
Head coach Pete Carroll leaves VMAC and heads to the buses for the ride to the airport for the trip to the Bay Area and Week 17's matchup with the San Francisco 49ers.
Fans send the team off with flags and cheers as the caravan of team buses makes its way to the airport.
As light snow falls, Jeron Johnson uses his camera phone to record himself, Kam Chancellor and Mike Morgan as they prepare to board the Delta charter.
The weather was much milder upon landing in San Jose as Michael Bennett descends the stairs from the aircraft.
On game day morning, linebacker Bobby Wagner walks through the team's hotel to the waiting buses for the trip to Santa Clara.
Two hours before kickoff, linebacker K.J. Wright stretches out on the field.
Head coach Pete Carroll smiles as he walks onto the field at Levi's Stadium during pregame.
Tight ends Marcus Lucas, Jimmy Graham, Nick Vannett and Luke Willson pose as they walk on the field during early warmups.
Defensive end Cassius Marsh works on technique during his individual warmups.
Head coach Pete Carroll chats with Seahawks owner Paul Allen who was at the game.
There were 12s everywhere at Levi's Stadium for the New Year's Day game between the Seahawks and the 49ers.
Safety Kam Chancellor leads the defensive backs on to the field for warmups.
Back in the locker room Jarran Reed gets ready in the final moments before the team left the locker room for kickoff.
Running back Thomas Rawls focuses intently in the locker room before the game.
Offensive linemen Mark Glowinski, George Fant, Reese Odiambo, Bradley Sowell and Joey Hunt relax in the last moments in the locker room before taking the field.
Team leaders Kam Chancellor, Michael Bennett, Russell Wilson and others are at the center of the final team huddle before the Seahawks left the locker room.
Seahawks captains Jeron Johnson, Mark Glowinski, Trevone Boykin, Michael Bennett and Russell Wilson were at midfield for the opening coin toss.
Seahawks fans with 12 flags lined the front row in the end zones during the game.
Russell Wilson scrambles for yardage during the first half.
Linebacker Bobby Wagner takes down San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick for one of his two sacks on the day.
Linebacker Bobby Wagner celebrates after the sack. Wagner's 12 tackles and two sacks meant he ended the regular season as the league's leading tackler.
Defensive lineman Ahtyba Rubin lines up 49ers running back DuJuan Harris, just before knocking the ball loose for a fumble.
Ahtyba Rubin tries to the grab the fumble along with teammates Frank Clark, Cassius Marsh and Kam Chancellor.
Defensive end Frank Clark corrals the loose ball.
Frank Clark lumbers over 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick as he returns the recovered fumble.
Tight end Luke Willson celebrates after scoring on a 11-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Russell Wilson.
Thomas Rawls leaps into the celebration with Luke Willson after the touchdown.
Receiver Doug Baldwin uses his body to shield off a 49ers defender on a first half reception.
Running back Thomas Rawls celebrates his one-yard touchdown that gave the Seahawks a 19-14 lead.
Head coach Pete Carroll shows his excitement as Jimmy Graham and the rest of the offense comes off the field after the touchdown. Graham's leaping reception at the one-yard line set up the score.
Defensive tackle Jarran Reed points after making a tackle for loss.
49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick fumbles as Michael Bennett closes in late in the second quarter.
in the Seahawks locker room at halftime, the defense watches the screen as defensive coordinator Kris Richard reviews strategy.
On the other side of the locker room members of the offense wait for Tom Cable's second half instructions.
Defensive line members Frank Clark, Michael Bennett and Cassius Marsh celebrate a sack by Bennett in the third quarter.
Tony McDaniel manhandles 49ers running back Shaun Draughn in the third quarter.
Linebackers Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright celebrate another defensive stop.
Quarterback Russell Wilson spots tight end Brandon Williams crossing over the middle.
Tight end Brandon Williams reaches out to make the catch on a pass from Russell Wilson.
Running back Alex Collins finds running room in the third quarter.
Linebacker Bobby Wagner meets Shaun Draughn for one of his 12 tackles.
Seahawks fans were numerous and made themselves noticed at Levi's Stadium.
In the fourth quarter, Trevone Boykin entered the game for Russell Wilson.
Running back Marcel Reese races up the left side in the fourth quarter.
Trevone Boykin consults with offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell during the two-minute warning.
At game's end head coaches Chip Kelly and Pete Carroll met at midfield.
Richard Sherman accepts congratulations from head coach Pete Carroll in the victorious locker room.
Head coach Pete Carroll cheers with his team after the win.
Michael Bennett leads the Seahawks in their final cheer before the team left for the return trip to Seattle.
