The Seahawks made a roster move Saturday, activating cornerback Jeremy Lane off the physically unable to perform list. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said throughout the week that the plan was for Lane to return for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh, so the move was expected, but even so, the move confirms Lane made it through the week well and is ready to play Sunday.
Running back Bryce Brown, who was re-signed to the roster earlier in the week, was waived to make room for Lane on the 53-man roster.
Lane, who broke his arm and tore his ACL on an interception return in Super Bowl XLIX, had multiple surgeries on his arm and knee, causing him to miss the start of the 2015 season. He returned to practice following Seattle's bye week, but the Seahawks waited to add him to the roster to make sure he was in game shape having been sidelined for so long.
Lane said waiting for his return required being "very patient" after returning to practice but being held out of the past two games, but conceded, "It got easier every week, so I think they were making the right decision."
Lane, a sixth-round pick in the 2012 draft, first made his mark on special teams as a rookie and also started three games at right cornerback. Lane then saw significant playing time at cornerback over the past two seasons, primarily in the nickel defensive back role. While the nickel spot has been where Lane has played most, he also has experience playing outside, and Carroll said Lane could factor into the competition at right cornerback with Cary Williams, the starter all season up to this point, and DeShawn Shead, who replaced Williams in the second half of last week's game.
"I'm very comfortable at it," Lane said of playing outside as opposed to the more familiar nickel spot. "In 2012, I was a starter at right corner and did very well at it. I'm ready. I consider myself a corner who can play nickel."
While it remains to be seen how Lane will be used this week and beyond, Seahawks coaches and players agree he'll provide a boost upon his return, whatever his role may be.
"He's going to bring that extra level of enthusiasm and effort," defensive coordinator Kris Richard said. "He's a guy that we've relied upon around here for a lot of years to just kind of bring that extra grit, and that's what he has. It'll be interesting to see how he's going to react and respond when he gets his chance to get out there and go."
Brown, who initially signed with Seattle on October 27, was inactive for two games with Seattle, then waived a week ago when the Seahawks added linebacker Eric Pinkins to the roster. Brown was re-signed Tuesday, presumably to provide depth at running back with Marshawn Lynch out with an abdominal injury, but with Brown's release, the Seahawks will now go into Sunday's game with only two healthy running backs—Thomas Rawls and Fred Jackson; though fullback Derrick Coleman, who played running back in college, could be used there as well if needed.
The Seahawks and Steelers face off on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023. Kickoff is set for 1:05 p.m. PT. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the Steelers.
Franco Harris of the Steelers carried for short yardaga in first quarter action Sunday, Dec. 4, 1977 past Seattle Seahawks Bob Lurtsema (70). Harris rushed for more than 100 yards for the twenty-eight time in his career, only two other players have done it more often. Harris also went over the 1000 yard mark for the year. (AP Photo)
Steelers Franco Harris (32) gets past Seahawks Bill Gregory (77) for Pittsburgh's third touchdown of the game, Sept. 11, 1978. The Steelers won the game in Pittsburgh, 21-10. (AP Photo/R.C. Greenawalt)
Steve Largent of the Seattle Seahawks runs with the ball during game action against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Nov. 8, 1981. (AP Photo)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris (32) is tackled for no gain by Seattle Seahawk conerback Keith Simpson (42) in the first quarter of their National Football League game in the Seattle Kingdome, Nov. 28, 1982. (AP Photo/Gary Stewart)
Franco Harris (32) of the Pittsburgh Steelers slides into the end zone for six points after being hits by Kenny Easley (45) and Kerry Justin of the Seattle Seahawks in the first quarter of their game in Seattle, Wash., Oct. 23, 1983. Harris went nine yards for the score. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Brian Bosworth (55) sets for play during a 13-9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 6, 1987 at The Kingdome in Seattle, Washington. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback, Rick Mirer (3) is sacked for a seven-yard-loss by Kevin Henry (76) of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter of their NFL game in Seattle, Wash., Sunday, Dec. 26, 1993. (AP Photos/Gary Stewart)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive center Dermontti Dawson (63) looks up from the field with his helmet up during a NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks on September 25, 1994 in Seattle. The Seahawks won the game 30-13. (AP Photo/Paul Jasienski)
Seattle Seahawks punt returner Charlie Rogers (31) evades Pittsburgh Steelers' John Fiala as he runs the Josh Miller punt back for a touchdown in the first quarter in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Sept. 26, 1999. Steelers Dewayne Washington (20) Orpheus Roye, (71) Kevin Henry (76) and Carlos Emmons (51) watch from the sidelines. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander celebrates as he runs off the field after the 23-16 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Seattle Sunday Nov. 2, 2003. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Isaiah Kacyvenski, left, and J.P. Darche (52) bring down Pittsburgh Steelers' Antwaan Randle El during a punt return as Seahawks' Orlando Huff (57) comes in on the play in the fourth quarter Sunday, Nov. 2, 2003, in Seattle. The Seahawks won, 23-16. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks tight end Jerramy Stevens (86) catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown in the third quarter of the Super Bowl XL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2006, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis (36) is tackled during the third quarter of play against the Seattle Seahawks at the Super Bowl XL football game, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2006, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger dives in for a one-yard touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter of play at the Super Bowl XL football game, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2006, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Pittsburgh Steelers line backer James Farrior (51) tackles Seattle Seahawks tight end Marcus Pollard (88) as Ryan Clark (25) runs at the football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
