Seattle Seahawks Make Last-Minute Roster Adjustments Ahead of 49ers Matchup

The Seattle Seahawks made a late decision on Saturday, elevating running back Cam Akers and cornerback Tyler Hall from the practice squad ahead of their Week 18 game against the San Francisco 49ers. The team officially announced the moves just hours before the matchup on January 3, with kickoff set for 8 p.m. ET. This last-minute adjustment provides Seattle with additional depth as it heads into the regular-season finale.

Key Details

• Cam Akers: This is his third consecutive elevation, giving Seattle a third running back behind Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet.
• Special Teams: Akers has been active on special teams in Seattle’s past two games and took over kick return duties last week after Rashid Shaheed exited with a concussion.
• Tyler Hall: A long-time practice-squad corner who could make his Seahawks debut; he has 31 career games with six starts, most recently with the Raiders in 2023.

Why the Elevations Matter

The Seahawks’ decision to elevate Akers is a strategic move, offering extra insurance behind Walker and Charbonnet for a high-intensity rivalry game. It also ensures a proven special-teams body is available if needed again.

Akers’ role has grown since joining the team. In last week’s win at Carolina, he took over kick return duties after Shaheed was sidelined by a concussion, returning two kicks for 54 yards. However, the Seahawks have since received good news about Shaheed’s status, as he was cleared to play against the 49ers after practicing fully and avoiding a game designation. This means Akers’ return duty isn’t guaranteed, but it also allows Seattle to use him as a flexible option on special teams and as the “break glass” RB3 if the game becomes chaotic.

What It Means for Cam Akers

This isn’t just another call-up. Under NFL rules, a practice-squad player can be elevated to the active roster for up to three regular-season games in the same league year. After that, the team must sign him to the 53-man roster for any additional elevations.

For Akers, this is his third straight elevation, so if the Seahawks want him available again after Saturday, it likely becomes a real roster decision rather than a temporary move. For fans, the takeaway is clear: Seattle is treating this game like it could get physical and unpredictable, and it’s stocking the bench accordingly.

Tyler Hall Could Make His Seahawks Debut

The other elevation, Tyler Hall, is about coverage depth and flexibility. The Seahawks called him up from the practice squad, and he would be making his Seattle debut if he plays. Hall has spent time in the system over the past two seasons.

Hall isn’t a household name, but he’s not new to the league. He has appeared in 31 NFL games with six starts since entering as an undrafted free agent in 2020, including 11 games with three starts for the Raiders in 2023.

In a game where one special-teams tackle, one emergency snap at corner, or one “next man up” series can swing momentum, Seattle clearly wanted a DB it trusts in the building, not a last-second external addition.

What to Watch Once Inactives Drop

The next clue comes when Seattle announces who’s actually active. Teams can elevate players, but that doesn’t guarantee a snap on offense or defense, especially if the plan is primarily special teams.

Two things to watch:

• Return roles: If Shaheed is fully back, does Akers still get a kick-return look, or is he strictly RB3 + coverage units?
• Akers roster pressure: If Seattle wants Akers again beyond Saturday, fans should brace for a follow-up roster move tied to the “three elevations” rule.

Where to Watch Seahawks vs. 49ers Tonight

• Time: 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT
• Location: Levi’s Stadium
• TV Channel: ABC and ESPN
• Streaming: ESPN app + live-TV streamers that carry ABC/ESPN (e.g., Fubo, Sling, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV)
• NFL+ Note: Live local/primetime games are available on phone/tablet (plan/location rules apply)

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