Robert Nkemdiche has been elevated from the practice squad for Sunday's home-opener against Tennessee.
The Seahawks added to their already-deep defensive line for Sunday's game against Tennessee, elevating defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche from the practice squad.
Additionally, rookie receiver Dee Eskridge, who left last week's game with a concussion, has been downgraded from doubtful to out.
Nkemdiche, a 2016 first-round pick out of Mississippi, signed with Seattle this offseason looking to revive his career after being out of football in 2020, and got off to a good start in training camp before a groin injury kept him from playing in the preseason. He was released during the cutdown to 53-players, then re-signed to the practice squad.
When he was healthy in camp, Nkemdiche impressed teammates and coaches with not only his play, but also his energy and love for the game that Seahawks coach Pete Carroll described as his "beautiful spirit."
"He's a beautiful spirit now," Carroll said. "He really cares about having fun and enjoying it. I can't imagine someone putting a lid on him back in the day. Maybe that's why some of the stories came out. Here we welcome the spirit of it and what he brings, and everyone has to get along and fit in and all that. He does too. I don't want to harness that kind of love for being outgoing, and expressive and all that. I don't want to get in the way of all that. I'm going to cheerlead for that."
The Seahawks were already deep on their defensive line, as was evident in Week 1 when L.J. Collier, a 16-game starter last year, was a healthy inactive. Nkemdiche does, however, provide another interior line option with defensive tackle Bryan Mone listed as questionable due to an elbow injury. The Seahawks also are expecting a big test on run defense with Tennessee running back Derrick Henry, the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year, coming to town.
As a practice squad elevation, Nkemdiche is eligible to play this week without the Seahawks having to make a corresponding move on the 53-man roster, then he will revert back to the practice squad Monday without being subject to waivers.
The Seahawks and Titans face off on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023. Kickoff is set for 10 a.m. PT. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the Titans.
Seattle Seahawks safety Autry Beamon (27) tackles Houston Oilers running back Mike Voight (31) during an NFL game in Seattle, Wash., Nov. 20, 1977. The Oilers defeated the Seahawks 22-10. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Seattle Seahawks rookie defensive tackle Manu Tuiasosopo (74) pressures Houston Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini (7) during an NFL game in Seattle, Wash., Oct. 21, 1979. The Seahawks defeated the Oilers 34-14. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Houston Oiler wide receiver Ken Burrough (00) against the Seattle Seahawks at Houston on Oct. 11, 1981. (AP Photo/Ed Kolenovsky)
Houston Oilers Kicker Tony Zendejas (7) with Jeff Gossett (8) holding lets loose with the winning field goal in overtime at the NFL playoffs against the Seahawks, Sunday, Jan. 3, 1988, Houston, Tex. The rest of the players are unidentified. (AP Photo/SU)
Seattle Seahawks John L. Williams (32) looses the ball as he tried jumping over the line in the third quarter of the NFC playoff game in Houston, Texas., Sunday, Jan. 4, 1988. Houston Oilers Keith Bostic made the recovery. (AP Photo/TJ)
Seattle Seahawk quarterback Jon Kitna looks to complete a pass during the Seahawks 20-18 win over the Tennessee Oilers Sunday, Nov. 19, 1998, in Seattle. It was Kitna's first start since he replaced Warren Moon as the teams leader. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)
Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander carries the ball against the Tennessee Titans in the first quarter of their NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2005 in Nashville, Tenn. Alexander set an NFL record for touchdowns, led the league in rushing and ran away with The Associated Press Most Valuable Player award Thursday. lexander spearheaded the Seahawks' rise to the best record in the NFL, including a victory over the league's other 14-2 team, the Colts. It was the most productive season in Seahawks history, one in which Alexander scored 28 touchdowns and rushed for 1,880 yards. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Tight end Ben Troupe #84 of the Tennessee Titans gets tackled by cornerback Jimmy Williams #22 and linebacker Lofa Tatupu #51 of the Seattle Seahawks at The Coliseum on December 18, 2005 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Seahawks defeated the Titans 28-24. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Tennessee Titans Chris Johnson runs the ball in action against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010, during an NFL football game in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks' Mike Williams runs for a touchdown past Tennessee Titans' Ryan Mouton in the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2010, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks fullback Michael Robinson (26) pulls in a reception in front of Tennessee Titans linebacker Akeem Ayers in the first half of an NFL football preseason game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Tennessee Titans tight end Taylor Thompson (84) fumbles the ball under pressure from Seattle Seahawks' Heath Farwell (55) and Kyle Knox (43) in the second half of an NFL football preseason game, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) intercepts a pass intended for wide receiver Nate Washington, right, in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Scott Eklund)
Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch, center, runs for a touchdown past Tennessee Titans' Michael Griffin (33), in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) reaches for the goal line as he is hit by Seattle Seahawks defenders Earl Thomas (29) and Kam Chancellor (31) in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The play was called back because of a penalty. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Tennessee Titans linebacker Avery Williamson (54) and Adoree' Jackson(25) tackle Doug Baldwin (89) during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
(Tom DiPace via AP)
