The Seahawks activated defensive back Kobe Bryant from injured reserve ahead of Thursday night’s game against the 49ers.
Safety Jerick Reed II, who tore his ACL in last weekend’s game against the Rams, was placed on injured reserve to make room on the 53-man roster.
Additionally, quarterback Brett Rypien was promoted from the practice squad, giving the Seahawks additional depth at quarterback with rookie Geno Smith dealing with an elbow injury.
Bryant, who was a rookie in Seattle, played in that role for the first two games this season before suffering a toe injury that eventually led to IR. Bryant also saw significant playing time at safety in training camp and the preseason, giving the Seahawks additional depth there with Reid moving to IR. Seahawks coach Pete Carroll noted that Bryant could also help the Seahawks mitigate the loss of Reed, who was a special teams standout, at that point in the game.
“He was great on special teams,” Carroll said of Reed. “He’s really one of the leaders for us, he’s really been one of the highlights. So we miss the spark plays he made, we go after kicks and kicks, but if Kobe takes his place, Kobe is ready to go. He wants to play so bad. It’s taken too long.” For him to get back there, we know he’s physical and aggressive and makes things happen, so we probably don’t lose much there.
Rypien, who set passing records at Spokane’s Shadle Park High School before joining Boise State, signed to Seattle’s practice squad earlier this month.
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