The Seahawks are shaking up their practice squad, bringing in third-year linebacker Jimmy Ciarlo after a report from KPRC 2 Houston’s Aaron Wilson, while saying goodbye to veteran safety D’Anthony Bell and wide receiver Julian Hicks. This move marks the second straight day our Hawks have added a defensive player to the practice squad, following up on defensive tackle Gary Smith III’s signing Tuesday. Plus, the exemption for wide receiver Malick Meiga has been lifted, so he now officially counts against the 17-man limit.
Who Exactly Is Jimmy Ciarlo, And What’s His Story?
So, who’s the new guy trying to make a name for himself in the Emerald City? Jimmy Ciarlo is a 25-year-old, third-year pro out of Army. His journey to Lumen Field hasn’t exactly been a straight shot. After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, he tore his ACL during his very first preseason with the New York Jets. Talk about a tough break right out of the gate, right? Since then, Ciarlo has bounced around, spending time with the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, and Tennessee Titans. He was part of Buffalo’s final cuts from 90 to 53 back in August and even had a brief stint on the Titans’ practice squad earlier this month. His entire regular-season experience consists of just one appearance, playing exclusively on special teams for the Bills in a Week 5 loss to the New England Patriots last season. Now, after touring most of the AFC East, he’s landed with the defending Super Bowl champions.
Why This Practice Squad Shuffle Matters For Our Hawks
This isn’t just a random shuffle; it tells you a lot about how our Hawks, the defending Super Bowl champions, are constantly looking for depth and competition. Bringing in Ciarlo, especially after adding Gary Smith III yesterday, shows Mike Macdonald and the crew are still working to solidify the defense and build out those crucial practice squad spots. Every single player on that squad is a potential call-up, someone who could step onto the field if injuries hit or if they simply earn their shot. Releasing a veteran like D’Anthony Bell for these moves signals that the coaching staff is focused on finding the right pieces, no matter their previous experience, to keep this roster flexible and strong for the long haul.
It’s clear the Hawks aren’t done tinkering. They’re always searching for that next player who can contribute, even from the practice squad. We’ll be watching Ciarlo to see if he can seize this opportunity with the defending Super Bowl champions and potentially make his mark with the 12s.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Field Gulls.
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