With Marshawn Lynch out with a hamstring injury and Fred Jackson listed as questionable, the Seahawks made a roster move ahead of Sunday's game at Cincinnati to bolster their running back depth, signing rookie Rod Smith off of their practice squad.
Cornerback Tharold Simon was placed on injured reserve with a toe injury, which Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Friday might require surgery.
Smith, who signed with Seattle in May as an undrafted rookie out of Ohio State, rushed for 70 yards and 10 carries in the preseason and caught six passes for 27 yards. He was waived when the Seahawks reduced their roster to 53 players, then signed to the practice squad. With Lynch unavailable, rookie Thomas Rawls is expected to get the start Sunday, and the Seahawks hope to have Jackson available despite him suffering what looked to be a serious ankle injury in Monday's win over Detroit, but if Jackson can't go or the Seahawks just need more depth, Smith will be available to provide it. Another option the Seahawks have for running back depth is fullback Derrick Coleman, who played running back in college.
On Jackson, who was diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain, an injury that usually requires several weeks of recovery, Carroll said Friday: "Fred had a fantastic recovery. He is listed as questionable, but we're thinking he's going to make it. He'll have to work out on game day, but he looks really good and we think he'll be able to play.
"It's just unusual. Luke Willson has done this before in a week's time. (Jackson) is way ahead of schedule. You just can't figure out how he's doing it, but he looks ready to go. It's a miraculous recovery."
Simon, who missed his rookie season because of a toe injury, is dealing with a similar injury, but on his other foot, Carroll said.
"He has had surgery on his other foot, same toe, same situation," Carroll said. "That's something we're trying work through right now whether that's necessary or not."
The Seahawks will also be without cornerback Marcus Burley, who had surgery Thursday to repair a broken thumb, and cornerback Tye Smith is listed as doubtful with a hip injury. With Burley out, DeShawn Shead is expected to play nickel cornerback after taking over that spot following Burley's injury Monday. Carroll and defensive coordinator Kris Richard both said this week that safety Steven Terrell could play corner if needed. Terrell filled in as Seattle's nickel cornerback against Dallas last season when injuries left Seattle thin at that spot.
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