The Seahawks activated tight end Ed Dickson off of injured reserve Wednesday, adding needed depth at a position that has been hit hard by injuries this season.
Veteran cornerback Jamar Taylor was waived to make room on the 53-man roster, a move that opens the door for rookie Ugo Amadi to likely take over the nickel role.
The return of Dickson, who started the year on injured reserve due to knee surgery during training camp, comes at a good time for Seattle. Luke Willson, who has been the starter since Will Dissly landed on injured reserve, injured his hamstring in Seattle's Week 10 win over the 49ers, and Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Monday that it is unlikely that Willson will make it back this week.
This will be the second year in a row that Dickson has joined the Seahawks after starting the year on IR. Last year, Dickson appeared in 10 games, starting one, and recorded 12 catches for 143 yards and three touchdowns.
Taylor, who signed with the Seahawks as a free agent in the offseason, was released prior to the start of the season, then re-signed after Seattle's Week 1 win over Cincinnati, and he had been Seattle's nickel corner since rejoining the team. But when asked about Amadi's progress on Monday, Carroll made it clear that the fourth-round pick out of Oregon had a good chance of taking over that nickel role even before this roster move was made.
"He's doing really well," Carroll said. "He has been a playmaker on special teams throughout. His opportunities will continue to come about because he has been so consistent in everything he is doing. He hasn't done anything that isn't good. His effort is great, his playmaking, his decision making, the savvy, the situations that he's been in; he's just been really good. So, I'm anxious for him to contribute more. He's one of those guys that have been with us long enough, it's time for him to get some more opportunities so we're looking for that. Still a great competitor for us on a number of positions for us for play time. Coming off the break we have a chance to revisit some of that stuff so, if it fits with different positions, and guys, and individuals, we're looking to take advantage of that."
The Seahawks also made an addition to the practice squad Wednesday, signing linebacker Pita Taumoepenu. A 2017 sixth-round pick by the 49ers, Taumoepenu has appeared in six games, recording three tackles. He spent training camp with Arizona this year, but was waived/injured during roster cuts, then later waived from injured reserve in September.
Taumoepenu fills the practice squad spot vacated by safety Adrian Colbert, who was signed to the Dolphins 53-man roster.
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seattle Seahawks' Week 10 game against the San Francisco 49ers. Eye on the Hawks is presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers.
Newly-acquired Seahawks receiver Josh Gordon heads for the team buses on his first road trip with the team.
A throng of fans waits near the Virginia Mason Athletic Center to see the team off for the trip to the Bay Area to face the San Francisco 49ers.
Seahawks cornerback Neiko Thorpe was stylish as ever on the tarmac as he waited to board the charter flight to the Bay Area.
Seahawks Ziggy Ansah, Branden Jackson and Luke Willson all wore various shades of maroon for the trip to face the 49ers.
Upon landing in San Jose, the team learned that the Seattle Sounders had won the MLS Cup and Jaron Brown, Russell Wilson and Neiko Thorpe honored the soccer team.
On Sunday, the offense held a brief walk-thru in a ballroom of the team's hotel.
The offense gathers at the end of their hotel walk-thru.
Seahawks center Joey Hunt listens as offensive line coach Mike Solari imparts instruction for the night's game.
Seahawks defensive lineman Branden Jackson strolls to the team buses on game day. Behind him is quarterback Geno Smith.
Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney was feeling good as he and Jarran Reed headed to the buses on game day.
Quarterback Russell Wilson signs autographs for fans at the team hotel.
Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin was stylish as he heads for the buses.
Safety Bradley McDougald stretches during the early warmup period at Levi's Stadium.
This 12 was at their first Seahawks game and it turned out to be an unforgettable evening.
The Seahawks gather once on the field for pregame warmups. At right is cornerback Shaquill Griffin.
Assistant coach Andre Curtis gives well-wishes to new safety Quandre Diggs as the players stretched during pregame warmups.
Defensive captain Bobby Wagner stretches during pregame.
Jarran Reed focuses during pregame warmups.
Receiver Josh Gordon gets ready for the game.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll greets former assistant and current 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh before the game.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Flowers takes a moment for himself before heading back to the locker room after pregame warmups.
Seahawks offensive tackle George Fant slaps hands with young fans watching the team head from the locker room to the field.
A military veteran flips the opening coin toss as captains from both teams watch.
Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin knocks away a pass intended for the 49ers Marquise Goodwin in the first half.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner wrestles down 49ers running back Matt Breida.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf is upended after a reception in the first half.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson throws from the pocket as Mike Iupati and Duane Brown provide protection.
Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister heads upfield with a reception in the first quarter.
Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed strips the ball away from 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo as SeattleÕs Poona Ford closes in.
Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney recovers a fumble caused by teammate Jarran Reed and heads for the end zone in the second quarter.
Seattle's Jadeveon Clowney stiff-arms San Francisco's Joe Staley on his way to a fumble recovery and touchdown in the second quarter.
Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney knocks down a pass by 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
Seattle's DK Metcalf stiff-arms San FranciscoÕs Dre Greenlaw and heads upfield.
As Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf nears the end zone, he starts to get the ball stripped away, resulting in a fumble.
Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs returns an interception upfield for a 44-yard return in the second quarter.
Seahawks defensive teammates Tre Flowers, Bradley McDougald, Jarran Reed and Branden Jackson celebrate with Quandre Diggs after his first interception with the team.
Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister makes a falling, one-handed grab in the end zone for a touchdown in the third quarter.
Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister celebrates his third quarter touchdown.
Seahawks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney pressures 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in the second half.
Seahawks Branden Jackson and Poona Ford celebrate after Ford recovered a fumble caused by teammate Jadeveon Clowney.
Seahawks fans were loud and raucous supporting their team on the road at Levi's Stadium.
Seahawks defensive tackle Al Woods sacks the 49ers Jimmy Garoppolo in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson steps up as George Fant and Germain Ifedi provide a running lane.
Wide receiver Josh Gordon makes his first catch as a Seahawk, catching a pass on third down for a key first down conversion late in regulation.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers reacts after making a 46-yard field goal to give Seattle the lead with less than two minutes left in regulation.
Seahawks backup quarterback Geno Smith and 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman meet at midfield for the coin toss to determine possession in overtime. Smith called ÒheadsÓ and won the toss.
SeattleÕs Josh Gordon makes another key third down catch and a 14-yard gain, this time with 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman in coverage.
Seahawks receiver Malik Turner cuts back with a 28-yard reception in overtime.
Seattle's Russell Wilson throws under pressure to tight end Jacob Hollister in overtime.
Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister watches a pass intended for him is intercepted near the end zone in overtime by 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw.
San Francisco's Chase McLaughlin misses a potential game-winning field goal in overtime, giving Seattle possession.
Seattle's Chris Carson gallops for yardage on the Seahawks' final drive.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers connects on a 40-yard field goal as time expired in overtime to lift Seattle to a 27-24 win over the 49ers at Levi's Stadium.
A jubilant Jason Myers is lifted into the air by joyous teammates Geno Smith and Germain Ifedi after his game-winning field goal in overtime.
After the game, friends and former teammates Richard Sherman and Bobby Wagner playfully roughhoused as the teams shook hands.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman, both former teammates in Seattle, traded signed jerseys after the game.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll is exuberant in the team's locker room after the victory.
