Seahawks Elevate LB Jon Rhattigan, S Teez Tabor to Face Panthers

Adding much-needed depth with Quandre Diggs, Jamal Adams, and Julian Love all questionable to play against Carolina, the Seattle Seahawks brought back an old friend with Teez Tabor elevated for his first game action in 2023.

Adding special teams and secondary depth for their Week 3 home tilt against the Carolina Panthers, the Seattle Seahawks elevated linebacker Jon Rhattigan and safety Teez Tabor from the practice squad.

Elevated for the third straight week to open the season, Rhattigan should continue to see extensive snaps in all phases of special teams. Playing 31 snaps in the first two weeks, he has produced one special teams tackle so far. Now out of elevations, the Seahawks will have to sign him to the 53-man roster for him to be active on game day moving forward.

Signed back to the practice squad this week after spending time with the Colts during the preseason, Tabor will be available as an insurance option in the secondary with safeties Quandre Diggs, Julian Love, and Jamal Adams all listed as questionable to play on Sunday. The former Florida standout and 2017 second-round pick played in 10 games and made one start for the Seahawks in 2022, recording nine tackles while primarily playing special teams.

According to coach Pete Carroll, despite missing Friday's practice, Diggs expects to be ready to play after sitting out two days with a hamstring injury. Love returned to practice on Friday with a hamstring injury of his own and the Seahawks will make a determination on his status based on how he bounces back from the work.

“He did really well today in his workout. We have to see how they respond to the work that they’ve done," Carroll said after Friday's practice.

Though he only re-joined the team on Wednesday, Tabor's prior experience playing multiple positions in the Seahawks defensive scheme should allow him to hit the ground running if needed in the secondary while also contributing on special teams. Last year, according to Pro Football Focus charting, he played 60 snaps at free safety, 25 snaps at strong safety, and 12 snaps at slot cornerback

With Diggs and Love trending towards playing, Tabor's elevation may say more about Seattle's plans for Adams, who participated fully in practice for the first time this season as he closes in on his return from a torn quad tendon. While Carroll didn't rule out the possibility he could dress against Carolina, he hinted that next week may be when he finally makes his 2023 debut.

“He practiced really well. He’s as close as he can get to going. We’ll see how this winds up. He’ll be in the middle of it next week for sure. I’m really excited for him. He’s done a fantastic job of conditioning and being on it so consistently that he’s created an opportunity for him to get back here.”