Brady

Russell

The fan-favorite rookie will be eligible to return after missing four games. Though not all teams utilize the fullback position, the Seahawks certainly do, and Ouzts has made a solid impression to begin his career. He boasts a 67.3 PFF run-blocking grade, ranking top three among running backs and fullbacks with at least 25 qualifying snaps. The Seahawks are on bye in Week 8. Seahawks FB Brady Russell will take over in Ouzts’ stead. The Seahawks signed S D’Anthony Bell to the active roster and S Jerrick Reed II to the practice squad.

The Seahawks drafted Ouzts in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, coming out of Alabama as a tight end. The team will also convert Brady Russell to fullback from tight end, a former undrafted free agent from the 2023 class. The moves are a concerted effort to be more physical in the run game under offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, something that could bolster the fantasy upside of Kenneth Walker in the coming season.

Russell played a little bit of fullback last season but is now officially making the switch heading into 2025. New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak used the fullback position in the Saints offense and is now making it a staple of the Seahawks offense with Russell. Primarily a special teamer with no catches last season, Russell can now consistently line up as the lead blocker for Seattle’s run game and open up Kubiak’s offense with new quarterback Sam Darnold.

Russell appeared in 11 games and played mostly on special teams as he didn’t pick up a catch during the 2024 campaign. The 26-year-old will likely battle for one of the final tight end spots in the Seahawks’ room in 2025. John Rhys Plumlee was signed to the active roster to take Russell’s spot.

Fant remains out due to a groin injury he suffered in Week 8. He has yet to practice since suffering the injury, leaving rookie AJ Barner as the starting tight end. Fellow TE Brady Russell (foot) was also listed as DNP while TE Pharaoh Brown (elbow) was a full participant. No Seahawks tight end options are appealing at this point of the season.

By this point, Fant starting out the week limited due to his toe injury is becoming a trend. Don’t be surprised if you see him limited again next week, barring any setbacks he should still play Week 3. Pharaoh Brown (foot) was also limited, while special teamer Brady Russell (shoulder) missed practice. The Seahawks’ tight end room has been a bit underwhelming this season, with Fant being the best option as a back-end TE2.

Smith was drafted by the Seahawks last year but landed on injured reserve before the start of his rookie season. The former fifth-round pick was a part-time player at Ohio State who struggled to stay on the field because of injuries. That has clearly followed him to the majors, though another team will undoubtedly take a shot on him. Seattle signed tight end Brady Russell from their practice squad in a corresponding move.

Russell (6'3"/250) battled his heart out but couldn’t prevent his team from getting blown out. Both of his big receiving plays set up Colorado’s touchdowns. The first was a PA roll out that found Russell on the sideline, and he simply refused to go down, running through multiple tacklers and grinding his way to a 13 yard gain that made it first and goal. The second was a 65 yard catch and run where Russell found himself alone in space on the right side of the field and took the medium pass another 50+ yards before getting chased out of bounds a the USC 9. Colorado will need to scheme more plays for Russell during their bye next week before facing Arizona on October 16th.

Russell (6'3/255) had surgery in mid-November for an ankle injury sustained against Stanford on November 14. The Buffaloes tight end had a big game against UCLA the week prior, catching five passes for 77 yards and a touchdown. He had been expected to occupy an important role in the CU offense this year, and will be sorely missed this Tuesday against Texas.

Russell had surgery in mid-November for an ankle injury sustained against Stanford on November 14. The Buffaloes tight end had a big game against UCLA the week prior, catching five passes for 77 yards and a touchdown. He had been expected to occupy an important role in the CU offense this year, and will be a welcomed addition if he can indeed return for bowl season.