Quandre Diggs, Myles Gaskin Set to Make Seahawks Debuts vs. Vikings
RENTON, Wash. - Only four days after signing to the practice squad to begin his second tenure with the franchise, the Seattle Seahawks will have veteran safety Quandre Diggs back in uniform for their Week 13 home tilt against the Minnesota Vikings.
With Julian Love still on injured reserve and third-year safety Ty Okada listed as questionable for Sunday with an oblique injury, Diggs received the call as a practice squad game day elevation. Following the decision to place running back George Holani on injured reserve with a hamstring strain, Seattle also elevated running back Velus Jones Jr., who could be utilized as a kick returner alongside receiver Rashid Shaheed while also offering backfield depth.
Now in his 11th season, Diggs officially re-signed with Seattle’s practice squad on Tuesday after asking for his release by Tennessee earlier this month and hit the ground running, drawing praise from coach Mike Macdonald for picking up the defense quickly. In the event Okada isn’t able to suit up against the Vikings, the three-time Pro Bowler could receive a starting nod as the free safety alongside Coby Bryant and Nick Emmanwori with D’Anthony Bell serving as a backup behind them.
“He’s done a great job. Great having him here,” Macdonald said on Friday. “You have expectations of how he's going to operate and he's pretty much on point. It's great to have him.”
In an additional move, ex-Washington Huskies running back Myles Gaskin was signed to the 53-man roster to take Holani’s spot and could have a chance to make his team debut, giving the Seahawks five running backs on the roster currently after signing veteran Cam Akers earlier in the week. Due to several injuries on special teams, including linebacker Chazz Surratt winding up on injured reserve earlier in the week, it’s possible all five backs could be active versus Minnesota.
With that said, as has been done in the past by Seattle, it’s possible Gaskin could be on the active roster to receive a game check and not suit up, especially after Macdonald provided positive remarks on how Akers has looked since arriving on Wednesday.
“Cam's doing a nice job. The runs he's gotten in practice he's looked really good. He’s had a great attitude, practicing fast, done a nice job,” Macdonald remarked.
Time will tell how many players are in uniform on Sunday behind starter Ken Walker III and Zach Charbonnet, the Seahawks top two primary ball carriers, with special teams likely playing into those decisions as well as which players may/may not be able to play this weekend at other positions. As for Holani’s status, per NFL rules, he will have to miss at least the next four games, meaning he would be eligible to return to practice and potentially be activated for a Week 17 road game against the Panthers in Charlotte.
