The Seahawks just dropped their first game in more than ten months, falling 33-31 to the Washington Commanders in Week 3, a gut-wrenching loss the team has to feel like they absolutely let slip away. With Jim Harbaugh’s Los Angeles Chargers, still winless on the season, coming up fast in Week 4, Head Coach Mike Macdonald isn’t wasting any time. This week’s Tryout Tuesday brought a swift change to the defensive front, with the Emerald City signing defensive tackle Gary Smith III to the practice squad.
The Chargers Are Coming, And Our Defense Needs To Be Ready
That Commanders game, man, it was a kicker. Losing by two points, knowing we had chances, that’s tough to swallow. But there’s no time to dwell on it. The Chargers are rolling into town still searching for their first W of the season, and you know they’re going to be hungry. Macdonald’s got to get this squad locked in and ready for a fight, especially on defense. Every week is a battle, and this one feels like a must-win to get back on track after that close call.
From Duke to UCLA to Seattle: Gary Smith III Joins the Crew
So, who’s the new guy trying to make an impact? It’s defensive tackle Gary Smith III, and here’s a fun fact for you: he’s a former college teammate of our very own Jake Bobo! Smith kicked off his college career at Duke, playing alongside Bobo for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Then, both Smith and Bobo transferred to UCLA for the 2022 season, where they linked up with Zach Charbonnet, too. Smith went undrafted this spring, bounced to the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad for a bit, but was waived at the end of training camp. Now, he’s got another shot right here in Seattle.
A Practice Squad Shakeup Signaling Intent
This isn’t just a random signing. To make room for Smith on the practice squad, the Seahawks moved on from nose tackle Uso Seumalo. That’s a direct swap on the defensive front, sending a clear message: Macdonald is looking for guys who can step up and help right now. This early in the season, after a tough loss and facing a desperate Chargers team, every move signals the team’s intent. Smith is here, he’s got connections to some of our guys, and he’s got a chance to prove himself.
This is a fresh start for Smith and potentially a critical depth piece for a defense that just allowed 33 points. Next up, the winless Chargers are coming to Lumen Field, and the 12s need to see our guys come out firing. Every single snap matters from here on out.
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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