The Seattle Seahawks have announced the elevation of running back Cam Akers and tackle Amari Kight from their practice squad in preparation for their Week 17 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. The team shared this information through a press release on Saturday, December 27th, at 1:13 p.m. Pacific Time.
Both players were also called up for the previous game against the Los Angeles Rams, with Kight stepping in as the backup left tackle after Charles Cross suffered a hamstring injury in Week 16. Akers adds depth to the running back position behind starter Kenneth Walker III and backup Zach Charbonnet. Although neither player saw action in last week’s game, where Josh Jones performed admirably in place of Cross, the Seahawks are likely to rely on Akers and Kight should any of their starters require a replacement.
Akers, who boasts a solid NFL background with 57 career games, alongside Kight’s impressive stature at 6’7″ and 318 pounds, has earned the trust of the coaching staff through their performances in practice. Head coach Mike Macdonald emphasizes the importance of the practice squad players, referring to them as “The 70,” indicating that these 17 players are integral to the team’s weekly strategy, just as much as those on the active roster. This week, Akers and Kight were deemed the best candidates to move up and bolster the Seahawks’ roster during this critical time of the season.
The Seahawks are gearing up for a challenging encounter against the Panthers, and the addition of these two players could provide vital support as Seattle aims to finish the season strong.