John

Ursua

Austin had a fairly nice rookie season in 2019, but was rough enough in coverage in 2020 to get waived. He caught on with the Seahawks but played only 149 defensive snaps in four games, and was thoroughly roasted. He’ll try to catch on elsewhere. The Seahawks also non-tendered OL Kyle Fuller, WR John Ursua, and CB Gavin Heslop.

The injury came in the Seahawks’ second preseason game. Ursua, a seventh-round pick in 2019, spent last year on Seattle’s practice squad after catching one pass as a rookie. With Ursua done for the year, UDFA receiver Cade Johnson will get a chance at cracking the final 53-man roster. Johnson, an intriguing small-school prospect, totaled 2,554 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns over his final two seasons at South Dakota State.

Ursua, a 2019 seventh-round pick, was competing for one of Seattle’s final receiver spots after spending last season on the practice squad. The injury to Ursua increases hyped UDFA Cade Johnson’s roster chances.

Way back in summer 2019, Seattle head coach Pete Carroll talked up Ursua as a potential starting slot receiver for the Seahawks. He was drafted by Seattle with the 236th pick in the 2019 NFL draft after posting 89 catches for 1,343 yards and 16 touchdowns for Hawaii in 2018. Ursua is unlikely to see the field in 2021 without a rash of wideout injuries.

“He started to show us the kind of quicks and change-of-direction stuff that made him one of the big scorers in college football last year,” Carroll said on Ursua’s offseason. “You can see it, he’s got a real style to him. He’s a slot guy, he really is that mold.” With Doug Baldwin gone, Ursua has a chance at taking over the slot, but he’s part of a crowded rookie cast. The Seahawks depth chart behind Tyler Lockett likely won’t be settled until deep into training camp.

Standing 5-foot-9, 175 pounds, Ursua collected 89 catches for 1,343 yards and 16 touchdowns for the Rainbow Warriors in 2018. He is a bit of an off-board pick, but Ursua has the tools to develop into a slot option. That spot could be a big need for Seattle depending on what happens with Doug Baldwin’s health.