The Seahawks added two players, both of them rookies, via waiver claim on Wednesday, cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly, who was waived by Baltimore, and linebacker Drake Thomas, who was waived by Las Vegas.
To make room on the 53-man roster for those two additions, the Seahawks released veteran cornerback Artie Burns and waived linebacker Jon Rhattigan. None of the players waived by Seattle on Tuesday were claimed, meaning all are options to return when the Seahawks form their practice squad.
Kelly, a fifth-round pick out of Stanford in this year's draft, was a two-time second-team All-Pac-12 selection, and as a junior he led the Pac 12 with 13 passes defensed. The 6-foot, 193-pound Kelly is the son of longtime NFL cornerback Brian Kelly, who spent 11 seasons in the NFL and was a starter on the Super Bowl winning 2002 Buccaneers team that featured the league's No. 1 defense.
Thomas, who went undrafted out of NC State, was a standout for the Raiders this preseason, recording 20 tackles, including two tackles for loss. A team captain for NC State last season, Thomas, who is 5-foot-11, 228 pounds, recorded 201 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, nine passes defensed and three interceptions over the past two seasons, earning first-team All-ACC honors in 2021 and second-team honors last season.
Burns, who first signed with the Seahawks as a free agent in 2022, re-signed during the offseason and, after spending most of camp as an outside cornerback, moved inside and played nickel corner in Seattle's preseason finale against Green Bay. Rhattigan, who made the team as an undrafted rookie in 2021, appeared in 14 games as a rookie before suffering a season-ending knee injury that limited him to five games last season. As a rookie, Rhattigan finished fourth on the team with 10 special teams tackles, and added five special teams tackles last season.
Additionally, safety Joey Blount and linebacker Vi Jones cleared waivers after being waived/injured on Tuesday, meaning they revert to Seattle's injured reserve list. Rookie safety Jonathan Sutherland also cleared waivers after being waived/injured and was subsequently released from injured reserve with an injury settlement.
With the addition of two more rookies, the Seahawks now have 14 rookies on their 53-man roster, and 22 first or second-year players.
The Seahawks held practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Aug. 30, 2023.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Aug. 30, 2023.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Aug. 30, 2023.
Seahawks at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Aug. 30, 2023.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Aug. 30, 2023.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Aug. 30, 2023.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Aug. 30, 2023.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Aug. 30, 2023.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Aug. 30, 2023.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Aug. 30, 2023.
Seahawks wide receiver Easop Winston Jr. (86) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Aug. 30, 2023.
Seahawks tight end Colby Parkinson (84) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Aug. 30, 2023.
Seahawks cornerback Michael Jackson (30) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Aug. 30, 2023.
Seahawks safety Jamal Adams (33) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Aug. 30, 2023.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Aug. 30, 2023.
Seahawks cornerback Artie Burns (23) and safety Quandre Diggs (6) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Aug. 30, 2023.
Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Aug. 30, 2023.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (57) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Aug. 30, 2023.
Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs (6) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Aug. 30, 2023.
Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Aug. 30, 2023.
Seahawks running back SaRodorick Thompson Jr. (29) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Aug. 30, 2023.
Seahawks at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Aug. 30, 2023.
Seahawks tackle Greg Eiland (75) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Aug. 30, 2023.
Seahawks at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Aug. 30, 2023.
Seahawks at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Aug. 30, 2023.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Aug. 30, 2023.
Seahawks at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Aug. 30, 2023.
Seahawks linebacker Jordyn Brooks (56) at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Aug. 30, 2023.
Seahawks at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash. on Aug. 30, 2023.
