Seahawks’ Tight End Depth Tested with Injuries Ahead of Preseason Game
NASHVILLE — The injuries to Noah Fant and Pharaoh Brown may not seem catastrophic at first glance, as experienced veterans like them might not have played a significant role in Seattle’s final two preseason games even if they were healthy. However, the Seahawks’ tight end depth is about to face a real test as they prepare for their second preseason matchup against the Tennessee Titans on Saturday at 4 p.m. PT.
Fant, the team’s starting tight end, missed Thursday’s practice after appearing to leave early from Wednesday’s session with the Titans. He arrived in Nashville already dealing with a foot injury sustained the previous week. Coach Mike Macdonald did not confirm whether Fant’s absence was due to this foot issue, only stating, “I don’t have any info on that right now” when questioned about him.
Backup tight end Brown, who was expected to fill in for Fant, suffered a significant injury when he took a hard hit from Titans cornerback Roger McCreary. Brown was carted off the field and did not return. Macdonald mentioned on Thursday that the extent of Brown’s injury is unclear, only confirming that it involves his foot.
Seattle signed Brown, a seasoned 30-year-old veteran and Oregon alum, to a one-year deal worth up to $3.2 million in March. This was part of their strategy to strengthen their tight end position after letting go of Will Dissly, who signed with the Chargers, and losing Colby Parkinson to the Rams in free agency. They also re-signed Fant to a two-year, $21 million contract. The plan was for Fant to be the primary receiving tight end and Brown to focus on blocking, while other players would provide depth and contribute to special teams.
With Fant and potentially Brown out, the remaining tight ends — AJ Barner, Jack Westover, Brady Russell, and Tyler Mabry — will have more opportunities to showcase their skills. Barner, drafted out of Michigan, is a likely candidate for a roster spot given his fourth-round pick status and connection with Coach Harbaugh. Westover, who received a guaranteed portion of his contract, and Mabry, a regular on the practice squad, are also expected to play a significant role.
Russell, in particular, has impressed during training camp, scoring a touchdown in the preseason opener and contributing significantly on special teams. His performance suggests he is a strong candidate for the final roster.
As the Seahawks wait to see how long they may be without their top tight ends, the remaining players will get plenty of opportunities to prove their worth in Saturday’s game.
Notes: The Seahawks held a private walk-through on Friday morning after two joint practices with the Titans. They will return to Seattle following Saturday’s game and resume practices on Monday. Former Seahawks players Matt Hasselbeck and Steve Hutchinson were present during the joint practices, with Hutchinson working as a football consultant for Seattle.
