The Seahawks placed rookie defensive tackle Malik McDowell on the reserve/did not report list Sunday, freeing up a roster spot that was used to sign defensive tackle Rodney Coe.
McDowell, Seattle's top pick in this year's draft, is back in his home state of Michigan after being injured in a vehicular accident earlier this month.
"We're just really hoping he has a really good recovery," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said of McDowell.
Carroll confirmed McDowell is back home recovering, but otherwise could not provide more details, referring to the statement issued by the team.
Coe, 25, began his career in Dallas as an undrafted free agent out of Akron in 2016, and has also spent time with Tampa Bay and Jacksonville. Coe signed a future contract with Seattle after the 2016 season, then was released in May.
Asked what McDowell's absence could do to the defense, Carroll said, "It doesn't change us. It just feels like a subtraction because of the uniqueness he brought. But everybody else is really doing the same things that we were doing. We didn't know enough about him yet. We were going to see where we could add him in, and that's really what it feels like. We were very excited about him and we continue to be, and hopefully we'll get him back soon."
McDowell later issued a statement, via Twitter, saying he plans to rejoin his teammates in Seattle in the next few days and adding, "My injury is not life or career threatening as some have speculated."
