Elijah Arroyo Active, Robbie Ouzts Out for Seahawks in Super Bowl LX
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - After receiving a questionable designation on Friday’s final injury report, the Seattle Seahawks will be without fullback Robbie Ouzts as they battle the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
Ouzts, a fifth-round pick out of Alabama, has been dealing with a nagging neck injury since Seattle’s 41-6 Divisional Round win over San Francisco last month. He sat out a 31-27 win over the Los Angeles Rams two weeks ago, but with the extra week via a bye, the team held out hope he would be ready to return for the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, after being limited in practice this week, he won’t be available.
In Ouzts’ absence, the Seahawks will once again turn to veteran tight end Brady Russell, though it remains to be seen how much offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak will actually utilize a fullback in Sunday’s big game. Seattle ran zero plays with a fullback in the backfield against Los Angeles, per Pro Football Focus.
Away from Ouzts, the Seahawks have a fully healthy roster, including versatile playmaking rookie safety Nick Emmanwori being good to go despite suffering a low ankle sprain in Wednesday’s practice. After sitting out on Thursday, he returned as a full participant in the final practice on Friday and wasn’t even given a designation on the final report.
Playing for the first time since Week 14, Seattle will have rookie tight end Elijah Arroyo in uniform, providing another pass catching option for Sam Darnold to throw to with seam-stretching capabilities. With him suiting up as the third tight end, undrafted rookie Nick Kallerup won’t be active and will be held out as a healthy scratch.
Capping off the rest of the Seahawks’ inactives list, quarterback Jalen Milroe will serve as the team’s emergency quarterback and will only be eligible to play if Darnold and Drew Lock both suffer injuries and cannot return to the game. Rookie tackle Mason Richman and defensive end Jared Ivey will be sidelined in street clothes, while veteran nose tackle Brandon Pili will also be out as a healthy scratch with rookie Rylie Mills getting the nod from a defensive line depth perspective.
As for the Patriots, coach Mike Vrabel will have his full arsenal available on defense with linebacker Robert Spillane and edge rusher Harold Landry ready to play despite missing practice time with injuries during the week. Tommy Devito will serve as the emergency third quarterback for New England, while Eastern Washington alum Efton Chism will not be active against the team he grew up rooting for.
